Development of an efficient eco-friendly photo-catalyst using agro-waste turmeric leaves and its characterizations

The photo-catalytic treatment of waste water using a natural fibre has been rarely studied earlier. Here, for the first time we reported a simple process for preparation of a novel eco-friendly photocatalyst from agro-waste 'turmeric leaves' and then studied the influence of calcinations, concentration of dye and catalyst, efficiency of catalyst in degrading toxic pollutants and effect of H2O2 on its photocatalytic activity. To explain the role of free radicals in photo-catalysis, scavenger's test was also performed. Overall analysis of the present invention demonstrates that turmeric leaves powder calcined at 800 degrees C achieved excellent degradation efficiency due to its visible light absorbing band gap (-2.01 eV), large surface area (-60.39 m2/g), nano-porous architecture and presence of OH center dot free radicals. Owing to its potential application in photocatalysis 'turmeric leaves powder' be promoted as a novel eco-friendly agro-waste photocatalyst to replace chemically synthesized photo-catalysts. The calcined turmeric leaves samples were also characterized via different techniques to analyze its structural, morphological and optical properties.