Promoting the photocatalytic reduction of CO2 and dye degradation via multi metallic Smx modified CuCo2O4 Reverse spinel hybrid catalyst

Abstract

Structuring a multi-functional photocatalyst of which enable high visible light harnessing so as to address the environmental pollution issues is the need of the hour. In view of this, a combination of catalytically active Cu, Co with enhanced adsorption capacity and Sm dopant that can enrich the catalyst with the defect centres would result in a tailor-made photocatalyst. Samarium (Sm) (1–12 wt %) doped CuCo2O4 were synthesized by simple precipitation route. The synergistic influence of Sm, Cu and Co on the photocatalytic ability has been ascertained by optical, structural and morphological methods like XRD, BET, SEM, XPS, Photocurrent, PL, ESR, fluorescence quenching, NMR methods. Thus prepared catalyst was utilized for the photo-catalytic mineralization of methylene blue and reaction was optimized and also it has been proven robust for the photo-reduction of CO2 into value added products, which are identified by NMR spectral analysis. A comprehensive mechanism has been suggested based on the experimental results. The present research provides the concept of multi-functional photo-catalyst for effluent decontamination and CO2 reduction.