Interfacial charge transfer of Carrisa edulis fruit extract capped Co3O4 nanoparticles on the surface of MK30: An efficient photocatalytic removal of methylthioninium chloride and tetracycline organic pollutants

• Published in: Environmental research 2023-02, Vol.219, p.115052, Article 115052
• Main Authors: Chellapandi, Thangapandi, Roopan, Selvaraj Mohana, Madhumitha, Gunabalan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Co3O4; Methylthioninium chloride; Montmorillonite K30; Nanomaterials; Photocatalyst; Tetracycline
• ISSN: 0013-9351; 1096-0953
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.115052

The in-depth usage of organic pollutants by pharmaceutical industries constitutes a major contaminant to the bodies of water due to their solubility, great mobility, ability to get attached to water bodies for a long period of time, and low biodegradability. Due to these, it may further cause disease and change the ecosystem of aqueous and other living organisms. Accordingly, effective removal of organic contaminants from waste water is a vital step in reducing the hazards. Photocatalysis is a potential technique for removing hazardous organic pollutants from wastewater. In this work, a simple ultra-sonication assisted approach, a series of Carrisa edulis fruit extract capped Co3O4 nanoparticles decorated on Montmorillonite K30 nanosheets (Co3O4/MK30) were prepared. The inherent physicochemical appearance and optical properties of as-prepared nanomaterials were investigated using a variety of analytical techniques. TEM analysis depicted the spherical shape of the Co3O4 NPs with the size of 11.25 nm. The degradation of methylthioninium chloride as a dye and tetracycline drug pollutants has been investigated in this study using individual and simultaneous photocatalysis systems in the presence of pure Co3O4 NPs and different ratios of Co3O4/MK30 nanocomposites. Owing to the generation of OH and O2 radicals, the 20% loaded Co3O4 on MK30 had the best photocatalytic performance of methylthioninium chloride (98.12%) and tetracycline degradation (87.4%), on exposing it to visible light. This research introduces a new design for MK30-based nanomaterials and proposes its use in environmental challenges. •The visible active Co3O4 and Co3O4/MK30 nanocomposite were successfully synthesized using ultra-sonication method.•To prepare efficient different weight percentage Co3O4/MK30 nanocomposite.•Visible light absorption ability of Co3O4 and Co3O4/MK30 nanocomposite is confirmed by UV-Vis DRS analysis.•Efficient photocatalytic degradation was observed for coloured (methylthioninium chloride dye) and colourless (Tetracycline antibiotic) pollutants.•The charge transfer mechanism of the Co3O4/MK30 was discussed in detail and magnetic property ensure it easy to be separated.