Removal of organic dyes and free radical assay by encapsulating polyvinylpyrrolidone and Tinospora Cordifolia in dual (Co–Cu) doped TiO2 nanoparticles.

Aquatic pollution refers to any water that has been used and discarded in different water bodies by industrial and commercial activities which contains a wide range of toxic substances and required treatment so that water can be safely reused for various purposes. In present paper, polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and plant Tinospora Cordifolia (T. Cordifolia) encapsulated dual doped cobalt-copper titanium dioxide nanoparticles (Co–Cu TNPs) has been synthesized via microwave-assisted method for the degradation aquatic pollutant dyes: Methyl Orange (MO) & Methylene Blue (MB). Using the encapsulated dual doped Co–Cu TNPs, free radical assays (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl: DPPH; Hydrogen peroxide: HP & Nitric oxide: NO) were also performed. Several physicochemical properties of encapsulated TNPs were examined using a variety of characterization techniques that helps in photocatalytic and antioxidant activity. The encapsulated TNPs exhibit tetragonal crystal lattice having average particles size between 25 and 38 nm with spherical shape morphology. The bandgap of encapsulated dual doped Co–Cu TNPs was found in the range of 3.25–3.29 eV. The binding of encapsulated dual doped Co–Cu TNPs were also calculated by using XPS which confirms the presence of dopants. The photocatalytic activity was performed with using control experiment and using encapsulated dual doped Co–Cu TNPs against MO and MB dyes. The results revealed that the degradation was observed up to 100% for the both MO and MB dyes. Also, antioxidant activity of encapsulated dual doped Co–Cu TNPs was observed against the DPPH, HO and NO assays. [Display omitted] • Dual doped Co–Cu TNPs were encapsulated by polymer PVP and plant T. Cordifolia. • Microwave-assisted method was used for the encapsulation. • Encapsulated TNPs exhibited spherical shapes. • T. Cordifolia encapsulated TNPs showed higher photocatalytic and scavenging performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]