Enhanced photocatalytic performance of auto-combusted nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of azo dye under sunlight illumination and hydrogen fuel production

In this study, an innovative nanomaterial was synthesized for hydrogen production from methanolysis on sodium borohydride (NaBH4) in order to be a solution for future energy problems. The nanocomposite containing FeCo, which does not contain noble metals, and whose support material is Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), was synthesized by means of a thermal method. TEM, XRD and FTIR characterization methods were used for the analysis of the morphological and chemical structure of the nanocomposite. Nanocomposite particle size was found to be 2.59 nm according to XRD analysis, and 5.45 nm according to TEM analysis for scale of 50 nm. For catalytic properties of nanomaterial in the methanolysis reaction of NaBH4, temperature, catalyst, substrate, and reusability experiments were carried out and kinetic calculations were obtained. Among the activation parameters of FeCo@PVP nanoparticles, turnover frequency, enthalpy, entropy and activation energy were calculated as 3858.9 min−1, 29.39 kJ/mol, −139.7 J/mol.K, and 31.93 kJ/mol, respectively. As a result of the reusability test of the obtained FeCo@PVP nanoparticles catalysts, which was carried out for 4 cycles, the catalytic activity was 77%. Catalytic activity results are given in comparison with the literature. In addition, the photocatalytic activity of FeCo@PVP NPs was evaluated against MB azo dye under solar light irradiation for 75 min and was found to be as 94%. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd