Synthesis of Polyaniline Supported CdS/CdS-ZnS/CdS-TiO2 Nanocomposite for Efficient Photocatalytic Applications

Photocatalytic degradation can be increased by improving photo-generated electrons and broadening the region of light absorption through conductive polymers. In that view, we have synthesized Polyaniline (PANI) with CdS, CdS-ZnS, and CdS-TiO2 nanocomposites using the chemical precipitation method, characterized and verified for the photo-degradation of Acid blue-29 dye. This paper provides a methodical conception about in what way conductive polymers PANI enhances the performance rate of composite photocatalysts (CdS, CdS-ZnS and CdS-TiO2). The nanocomposites charge transfer, molar ratio, surface morphology, particle size, diffraction pattern, thermal stability, optical and recombination of photo-generated charge carrier properties were determined. The production of nanocomposites and their efficient photocatalytic capabilities were observed. The mechanism of photocatalysis involved with PC, CZP and CTP nanocomposites are well presented by suitable diagrams representing the exchange of electrons and protons among themselves with supported equations. We discovered that increasing the number of nanocomposites in the membranes boosted both photocatalytic activity and degradation rate. CdS-Zinc-PANI (CZP) and CdS-TiO2-PANI(CTP) nanocomposites show entrapment at the surface defects of Zinc and TiO2 nanoparticles due to the demolition of unfavorable electron kinetics, and by reducing the charge recombination, greater photocatalytic activity than CdS-PANI (CP) with the same nanoparticle loading was achieved. With repeated use, the photocatalysts' efficiency dropped very little, hinting that they may be used to remove organic pollutants from water. The photocatalytic activity of CZP and CTP photocatalytic membranes was greater when compared to CdS-PANI, which may be due to the good compatibility between CdS and Zinc and TiO2, as well efficient charge carrier separation. PANI can also increase the split-up of photo-excited charge carriers and extend the absorption zone when combined with these nanoparticles. As a result, the development of outrageous performance photocatalysts and their potential uses in ecological purification and solar power conversion has been facilitated. The novelty of this article is to present the degradation of AB-29 Dye using nanocomposites with polymers and study the enhanced degradation rate. Few studies have been carried out on polymer nanocomposites and their application in the degradation of AB-29 dyes and remediation of water purposes. Nanoparticle CdS is a very effective photocatalyst, commonly used for water purification along with nanoparticle ZnS and TiO2; but cadmium ion-leaching makes it ineffective for practical and commercial use. In the present work, we have reduced the leaching of hazardous cadmium ions by trapping them in a polyaniline matrix, hence making it suitable for commercial use. We have embedded ZnS and TiO2 along with CdS in a polyaniline matrix and compared their photocatalytic activity, stability, and reusability, proving our nano-composites suitable for commercial purposes with enhanced activities and stabilities, which is a novelty. All synthesized nanocomposites are active within the near-ultraviolet to deep infrared (i.e., 340-850 nm). This gives us full efficiency of the photocatalysts in the sunlight and further proves the commercial utility of our nanocomposites.

Automated summary

Photocatalytic degradation can be enhanced by improving photo-generated electrons and expanding the absorption range of light through conductive polymers. In this study, Polyaniline (PANI) was synthesized with CdS, CdS-ZnS, and CdS-TiO2 nanocomposites and evaluated for the degradation of Acid blue-29 dye. The performance of composite photocatalysts was enhanced by PANI, and the properties of the nanocomposites, including charge transfer, molar ratio, surface morphology, particle size, thermal stability, and optical properties, were characterized. The photocatalytic activity and degradation rate were found to increase with the number of nanocomposites in the membranes. CdS-ZnS-PANI and CdS-TiO2-PANI nanocomposites showed higher photocatalytic activity compared to CdS-PANI due to the improved electron kinetics and reduced charge recombination. The efficiency of the photocatalysts remained stable after repeated use, indicating their potential use for water purification. The compatibility between CdS and Zinc and TiO2, along with improved charge carrier separation, contributed to the higher photocatalytic activity of CZP and CTP photocatalytic membranes compared to CdS-PANI. The study also demonstrated the commercial utility of the nanocomposites, as they were active in the near-ultraviolet to deep infrared range and exhibited enhanced stability and reusability. Therefore, the development of high-performance photocatalysts using conductive polymers and nanocomposites holds great potential for environmental purification and solar power conversion.