Synthesis of a novel alkali-activated magnesium slag-based nanostructural composite and its photocatalytic performance

Abstract A novel type of alkali-activated magnesium slag-based nanostructural composite (AMSNC) co-loaded bimetallic oxide semiconductors of NiO and CuO were synthesized by alkaline activation, ion exchange and wet co-impregnation methods, and then firstly employed as a photocatalyst for the degradation of indigo carmine dye. The XRD, TEM and HRTEM results revealed that CuO in the form of tenorite with mean particle size of about 15 nm and NiO in amorphous phase dispersed on the surface of AMSNC support. The decrease of photoluminescence with increasing amount of NiO and CuO demonstrated that the recombination of photogenerated electrons–holes pairs was prevented when the photogenerated electrons transferred from the metal oxide semiconductor to the AMSNC matrix. The 10(NiO + CuO)/AMSNC specimen showed that the photocatalytic degradation efficiency was up to 100% under UV irradiation for 1 h due to the synergistic effect between the AMSNC and active species of NiO and CuO. The mesoporous structures of specimens acted as critical role for the adsorption of dye molecules, and the photocatalytic degradation of indigo carmine dye obeyed first-order reaction kinetics. A degradation mechanism of photocatalytic oxidation was proposed in the paper.