Photocatalytic Activity and Reusability of F, Sm3+ Co-Doped TiO2/MWCNTs Hybrid Heterostructure for Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Brilliant Black Bis-Azo Dye

A global freshwater pollution catastrophe is looming due to pollutants of emerging concern (PECs). Conventional water treatment methods are limited in removing PECs such as pharmaceuticals and dye house effluent from aquatic systems. This study provides an effective potential solution by developing innovative wastewater method based on solar-light-responsive semiconductor-based photocatalysts. sol-gel synthesis technique was used produce Fluorine-Sm3+ co-doped TiO2 (0.6% Sm3+) (FST3) followed loading multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) the range 0.25 1 wt% into FST3 matrix. Solid state UV-visible spectroscopy measurements showed a bathochromic shift visible light region after co-doping TiO2, whereas XRD analysis confirmed presence predominantly anatase polymorphs TiO2. The FT-IR EDX results F Sm3+ dopants synthesised TEM that crystallite sizes all photocatalysts ranged 12–19 nm. resultant were evaluated for photocatalytic degradation Brilliant Black BN bis-azo aqueous under simulated solar irradiation. completely degraded 3 h, with high apparent rate constant (Ka) value (2.73 × 10−2 min−1). degree mineralisation using total organic (TOC) technique, which revealed TOC removal (82%) h complete 4 h. incorporation improved optical properties surface chemistry quantum efficiency properties. These synergistic effects led significantly efficiency. Furthermore, incorporating MWCNTs reaction kinetics FST3, effectively reducing time over 30%. Recyclability studies 5 cycles use, FST3/C1 dropped 7.1%, 33.4% same number cycles. Overall, this work demonstrates sustainable efficient dye-removal technique.