Design of MnOx/TiO2 Nanostructures for Photocatalytic Removal of 2,4‐D Herbicide

Abstract The research and modification of semiconductors through different synthesis routes allow obtaining materials with optimal properties to induce new energy levels and improve charge separation efficiency. In this context, the sol‐gel method was used to synthesize TiO2‐based materials doped wi...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Angeles Mantilla, Sandra Cipagauta Díaz, Enrique Samaniego Benitez, Francisco Javier Tzompantzi Morales, Michelle Navarrete Magaña
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley-VCH 2025-01-01
Series:ChemistryOpen
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/open.202400154
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Abstract The research and modification of semiconductors through different synthesis routes allow obtaining materials with optimal properties to induce new energy levels and improve charge separation efficiency. In this context, the sol‐gel method was used to synthesize TiO2‐based materials doped with different percentages of MnOx to evaluate their photocatalytic activity in the degradation of the herbicide 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D) in water under UV irradiation. Characterization results revealed a reduction in crystallite size to 7.2 nm. Adding MnOx enhanced the optical absorption of TiO2, resulting in a shift toward the red end of the spectrum of the forbidden energy band. The photocatalytic activity increased significantly with the percentage of MnOx, reaching a maximum degradation of 70 % in 6 hours with the 3 MnTi material. This increase was attributed to the synthesis method, which facilitated the formation of nanostructured heterojunctions mainly composed of TiO2 and MnO2, reducing the recombination of electron‐hole pairs. TEM analysis confirmed these structures. A reaction mechanism for the 3 MnTi material is proposed, considering the mobility of charge carriers and the photooxidation processes of the pollutant.
ISSN:2191-1363