Enhanced photo-catalytic degradation of natural organic matters (NOMs) with a novel fibrous silica-copper sulfide nanocomposite (KCC1-CuS)

The present study aims to test the degradation ability of KCC-1/CuS nanocomposite as a new photocatalyst for Humic acid (HA) degradation. The degradation process was accomplished using a photocatalytic reaction under irradiation by UV light A facile method applied for catalyst synthesis in different condition, and it was structurally and morphologically characterized, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) and Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) which showed successful synthesis of KCC-1/CuS nanocomposite. The degradation process was examined as a function of pH (3-11), catalyst dose (0.005-0.1 g/L), contact time (0-90 min) and initial HA concentration (2-15 mg/L) under UV radiation. The results demonstrated that maximum degradation of HA was 89.5% in optimized environmental conditions including pH: 3, nanocomposite dosage: 0.1 g/L, contact time: up to 90 min and initial HA concentration: 2 mg/L. Crown Copyright (c) 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study tested the degradation ability of KCC-1/CuS nanocomposite as a new photocatalyst for Humic acid (HA) degradation, achieving a maximum degradation rate of 89.5% under optimized conditions.