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Technical institutes

Breakthrough in Photocatalytic Degradation of Azo Dyes

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad has led to the discovery of a new heterojunction-based photocatalyst that efficiently degrades azo dyes, commonly used in the textile industry, which pose a significant risk to aquatic life and human health. This innovative photocatalyst, made up of Co2GeO4 and mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride (m-g-C3N4), was fabricated using a low-cost hydrothermal method. The results show a remarkable degradation of 95.5% of Methylene Blue and 95% of Crystal violet dyes, making it a promising option for sustainable wastewater treatment.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Co2GeO4/m-g-C3N4 heterojunction photocatalyst exhibits a type II heterojunction with a bandgap of 2.39 eV, making it responsive to visible light.
  • The optimized heterojunction photocatalyst significantly enhances photocatalytic activity by facilitating efficient charge separation and transfer, extending spectral response, and improving electron-hole pair separation.
  • The reaction is stable up to four cycles of reusability, demonstrating the material's potential for long-term use.
  • This research establishes the Co2GeO4/m-g-C3N4 heterojunction photocatalyst as an effective option for sustainable wastewater treatment.
  • The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad, led by Sushmee Badhulika, has developed a low-cost and efficient method for fabricating the heterojunction photocatalyst using a hydrothermal method.
  • The research has been peer-reviewed and published in the journal Materials Science and Engineering B-advanced Functional Solid-state Materials.

Statistics:

  • 95.5% degradation of Methylene Blue
  • 95% degradation of Crystal violet dyes
  • 100% spectral response range in the visible light spectrum (400-700nm)
  • 2.39 eV bandgap of the Co2GeO4/m-g-C3N4 heterojunction
  • 4 cycles of reusability with no significant degradation

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Investigators at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad Detail Findings in Photocatalytics [Rapid Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Dyes Using Co2geo4/ Mesoporous Graphitic Carbon Nitride (G-c3n4) Heterojunction]. Nanotechnology Weekly. October 13, 2025; p 1484.
  • Materials Science and Engineering B-advanced Functional Solid-state Materials. "Rapid Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Dyes Using Co2geo4/ Mesoporous Graphitic Carbon Nitride (G-c3n4) Heterojunction". Elsevier, Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands.

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