A durable MoS ₂ -BN/cellulose acetate photocatalyst for sustainable removal of organic pollutants <i>via</i> heterogeneous multilayer adsorption

In this study, we introduce a novel technique for creating a Molybdenum Disulphide f-Boron Nitride (MoS₂-(f-BN)) impregnated Cellulose Acetate (CA) composite with enhanced photodegradation properties for use in water treatment. The material comprises a heterostructure of functionalized boron nitride (f-BN) and molybdenum disulphide (MoS₂), synthesized within a cellulose acetate (CA) matrix. XRD, FT-IR, UV-vis, BET, TG-DTA, Raman, and PL investigations are among the extensive structural and optical characterization methods that verify the successful synthesis of the composite with a lowered bandgap of 3.3 eV, hence increasing its photocatalytic activity. Using a new MoS₂@(f-BN)@CA composite, this work examines the photocatalytic degradation of Crystal Violet (CV) dye when exposed to sunshine. The composite showed notable photocatalytic activity. Variables like irradiation time, pH, dye concentration, and catalyst dose were used to assess CV's degrading efficiency. The degradation reached over 86% after 120 minutes, according to the results, which increased with irradiation time. The composite performed best close to a pH of 6, which is neutral. The composite remained significantly active at all tested concentrations, despite the fact that greater dye concentrations initially caused more deterioration. CV elimination was also improved by raising the catalyst dosage. Adsorption investigations showed that the composite's adsorption behavior adhered to the Freundlich isotherm model, suggesting multilayer adsorption and a heterogeneous adsorption surface. The composite's heterogeneous composition and favorable adsorption were validated using the Freundlich isotherm characteristics. These results demonstrate the MoS₂@(f-BN)@CA composite's potential as an efficient and long-lasting photocatalyst for water purification applications, underscoring its viability for environmental remediation.