Abstract
Construction of tailor made photocatalyst is the need to achieve high visible light assimilation and charge carrier separation. In this path, combination of catalytic active element (Cu), defect rich metal oxide (ZrO2) and photoactive (NrGO) is an effective strategy. Herein, NrGO wrapped Cu-ZrO2 was prepared by modified Hummers-thermal annealing-hydrothermal approach. The synergism between Cu, Zr and NrGO was studied using transient photocurrent, EIS and TEM images. Consequently, O3/NrGO@Cu-ZrO2-10/Vis synergistic system has achieved superior photocatalytic ozonation-catalytic ozonation than individual photocatalysis and ozonation. Further, the advanced oxidation process was optimized and the catalyst was efficiently used for the reduction of CO2 into useful products. Tolerance of O3/NrGO@Cu-ZrO2-10/Vis system against rhodamine B, hydroquinone, bisphenol A and p-cresol has been investigated. A plausible mechanism was proposed based on ESR studies, BODIPY fluoresence method, band gap and Mott-Schottky data. This research provides an idea of multifunctional catalyst for advanced oxidation of contaminants and CO2 reduction.
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•Tailor made NrGO@CuZrO3 for advanced oxidation of pollutants and CO2 reduction.•Multi-way reaction synergy between catalysis, photocatalysis and ozonation.•Scavenger, ESR and BODIPY probe method were used to unfold synergistic mechanism.•In situ-DRIFTS technique was used to prove the superior CO2 reduction.•High tolerance towards the degradation of diverse pollutants was demonstrated.