THE ENHANCED PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF ALIZARIN RED S DYE USING CU-DOPED TIO2 NANOPARTICLES UNDER UVA, LED, AND SUNLIGHT IRRADIATION.

The study aimed to evaluate the photocatalytic efficiency of Cu-doped TiO2 nanoparticles synthesized via the sol-gel method, particularly in the degradation of Alizarin Red S dye under various light sources, including UVA LED and sunlight irradiation. Cu-doped TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized using a sol-gel method, followed by rigorous characterization using XRD, SEM, TEM, EDX, and UV-Vis DRS techniques to confirm their structural and optical properties. The photocatalytic efficiency was evaluated by observing the breakdown of Alizarin Red S dye under various lighting conditions, and the rate of the breakdown was analyzed using a pseudo-first-order kinetic model. The study revealed that Cu-doped TiO2 exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity, particularly under UV light, achieving an 87.11% degradation of Alizarin Red S dye within 60 minutes. Under sunlight, the degradation efficiency was 73.02%, while under visible light, it was 56.19%. The introduction of copper into the TiO2 matrix effectively reduced the bandgap energy, thus improving the material's responsiveness to visible light. In conclusion, Cu-doped TiO2 nanoparticles significantly enhance the photocatalytic degradation of Alizarin Red S dye, particularly under UV light. The reduction in bandgap energy due to copper doping improves the material's responsiveness to visible light, making it a promising candidate for wastewater treatment applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]