Visible-light responsive Mn3O4/TiO2 thin films: A green solution to organic pollutant degradation in water.
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| Title: | Visible-light responsive Mn3O4/TiO2 thin films: A green solution to organic pollutant degradation in water. |
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| Authors: | Netravathi, L.1,2 (AUTHOR), Deepthi, P.R.1,2 (AUTHOR) deepthi.pr@presidencyuniversity.in, Mohankumar, P.1,2 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Ceramics International. Oct2025:Part B, Vol. 51 Issue 25, p45691-45705. 15p. |
| Subjects: | Organic water pollutants, Semiconductor films, Thin films analysis, Chemical oxygen demand, Titanium dioxide |
| Abstract: | Innovative and effective solutions beyond traditional photocatalysts are required to address the ongoing organic pollution of water bodies. This study reports the synthesis and evaluation of Mn 3 O 4 /TiO 2 composite thin films, fabricated on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates via a two-step hydrothermal method. Thin films of pure TiO 2 and Mn 3 O 4 /TiO 2 were deposited on FTO substrates and systematically analyzed for their structural, optical, functional and photocatalytic abilities. Comprehensive characterization using X-ray diffraction (XRD) established the effective integration of Mn 3 O 4 onto the TiO 2 matrix, while Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed robust interfacial bonding, promoting enhanced charge transfer. The composite film exhibited a reduced optical band gap of 2.10 eV, enabling effective absorption in the visible range for sunlight-driven photocatalysis. FESEM and EDS confirmed Mn 3 O 4 incorporation into the TiO 2 matrix, revealing morphological changes and high purity that enhance electrochemical and photocatalytic performance. Mott-Schottky analysis confirmed the n-type semiconductor nature of the films and indicated flat-band potentials of −0.61 V for TiO 2 and –0.52 V for Mn 3 O 4 /TiO 2 (vs. Ag/AgCl), providing insights into their electronic properties. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) demonstrated that the Mn 3 O 4 /TiO 2 composite possesses lower charge transfer resistance than pure TiO 2 , signifying enhanced charge separation efficiency. The Mn 3 O 4 /TiO 2 composite showed improved performance in photocatalytic degradation investigations using Rhodamine B (RhB) dye under natural sunshine, attaining a degradation efficiency of 91.81 % in just 3.5 h, significantly exceeding pure TiO 2 (74.00 %). The scavenger study revealed OH ⦁ and O 2 − ⦁ as the primary reactive species involved in the photocatalytic degradation of RhB. The breakdown process was further confirmed through chemical oxygen demand (COD) analysis, while the degradation by-products were identified using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS).These findings highlight the Mn 3 O 4 /TiO 2 nanocomposite as a highly efficient, sunlight-active photocatalyst with strong potential for practical applications in wastewater treatment and environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Engineering Source |
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