Detoxification of harmful pollutants using highly efficient visible light active Ru/TiO2/PVDF photocatalytic membranes

In this study, the pristine PVDF and x% Ru/TiO2/PVDF (x = 0. 5, 1 & 1. 5 wt.%) photocatalytic composite membranes were cast by the phase inversion method. The prepared photocatalysts and photocatalytic membranes were characterized by various analytical techniques. All the prepared photocatalysts and photocatalytic membranes were evaluated for their photocatalytic activities towards the degradation of two significant hazardous textile dyes, namely methylene blue and crystal violet under visible light illumination. The% decolorization values of MB and CV dyes over 1% Ru/TiO2 photocatalyst & 1% Ru/TiO2/PVDF photocatalytic composite membrane were found to be 99% & 97% and 84% & 83% respectively under visible light irradiation. The photocatalytic decolorization followed the pseudo-first-order reaction, according to the kinetics investigations. The mineralization of MB and CV dyes was determined by TOC analysis and found to be 64% & 61% respectively. The recyclability of 1% Ru/TiO2/PVDF photocatalytic composite membrane test revealed high stability.