Efficient photocatalytic degradation of toxic dyes using nanostructured TiO2/polyaniline nanocomposite

Abstract

In this study, the synergistic effect between polyaniline and TiO2 nanoparticles make favorable accomplishment of aqueous methyl orange (MO) and methylene blue (MB) dyes. Before the degradation reaction, two-step methods were executed to prepare nanocomposite (TiO2/polyaniline) systems. Apart from synthesis, characteristics of the materials were perceived via x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, FOURIER transform infra red and UV–Vis techniques. The characteristic outcomes described the presence of polyaniline which suggestively impacts the size and crystallinity of TiO2 and additionally, initiate π–π* transition under visible light illumination. The π–π* transition was excited to generate more electrons and holes in the nanocomposites and it helps to achieve visible light degradation of MO and MB.