Core-shell structured epoxide functional NiO/SiO2 nanocomposite particles and photocatalytic decolorization of congo red aqueous solution

Abstract Nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles are useful in many catalysis reactions because of large surface area, high adsorptive properties, fast diffusivities, low cost and additionally they possess special electric and magnetic properties. However, the application of bare NiO nanoparticles often suffers from poor colloidal stability and weak chemical inertness. To overcome the disadvantages this investigation described the preparation of a novel three-layered NiO/SiO 2 /poly(glycidyl methacrylate) nanocomposite particles abbreviated as NiO/SiO 2 /PGMA. The epoxide functionality derived from PGMA on the surface of NiO nanoparticles is expected to increase the absorption capacity of the substrate, a prime requirement for high catalytic performance. The formation of nanocomposite particles is confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA). The produced NiO/SiO 2 /PGMA nancomposite particles possess core-shell type morphology with porous shell structure. The UV light driven photocatalytic degradation of congo red (CR), a water soluble azo dye, in presence of NiO/SiO 2 /PGMA nanocomposite particles is evaluated in terms of degradation efficiency and kinetics. Degradation efficiency decreased with the increase of initial CR concentration and a maximum efficiency of 100% is attained within 10 min when 10 mL of 40 mg L −1 CR aqueous solution is irradiated in presence of 0.01 g of NiO/SiO 2 /PGMA nanocomposite photocatalyst.