Study of Galvanic Reaction Between Indium Nanoparticles and CU2+ Ions and Fabrication of Photocatalyst and Its Photocatalytic Activity

Chang, Jun Hoong (2019) Study of Galvanic Reaction Between Indium Nanoparticles and CU2+ Ions and Fabrication of Photocatalyst and Its Photocatalytic Activity. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

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Abstract

Galvanic replacement reaction is one of the technique which can be employed for the synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) as it provide better control of the size and shape of the NPs formed and it allowed good contact between the NPs. The aim in this research is to study the galvanic replacement reaction between the Indium NPs and Cu2+ ions using UV-Vis spectroscopy as there was no any study about the similar reaction is reported in the literature previously. The morphology and melting point of the Indium NPs synthesized were characterized using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Galvanic replacement reaction between the In NPs and Cu2+ ions was used to synthesize Cu/In/CB nanocomposite which is further convert into CuO/In2O3/CB nanocomposite. The morphology of Cu/In/CB nanocomposite was also characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The galvanic replacement reaction took place will allow Cu atoms to be deposited on the In NPs, so they will have good contact with one another, so during the conversion of Cu/In/CB into CuO/In2O3/CB nanocomposite through heating the sample in muffle furnance at 400 oC for 1 hour, CuO and In2O3 present in the CuO/In2O3/CB nanocomposite is believed to have good interfacial contact with one another which can help to improve its photocatalytic activity. Therefore, photocatalytic efficiency and removal efficiency of CuO/In2O3/CB nanocomposite towards the removal of methylene blue (MB) dye under simulated solar irradiation was performed tested in this research and its photodegradation efficiency and removal efficiency were found to be 8.59 % and 39.05 % respectively under 3 hours of simulated solar irradiation.