Catalyst tablet of Cu TiO2 Graphite for

This study investigates the effectiveness of Cu-TiO2/Graphite tablets as catalysts for the photo- and electro-assisted degradation of Remazol Yellow FG dye. The primary objective is to evaluate the degradation rates achieved through different methods including photocatalytic degradation (PC), electrocatalytic degradation (ED), and photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) degradation. Methodologically, TiO2 film was deposited on graphite using chemical bath deposition from TiCl4, with the aid of cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) as a linking agent. Cu was subsequently deposited electrochemically from a CuSO4 solution. The findings reveal that the PEC method yields the highest degradation rate constant, indicating that the combination of light and electric field enhances the degradation efficiency. The study also identifies that direct electrical oxidation contributes significantly to the degradation process, evidenced by the observed degradation rates of ED and PC. Additionally, the FTIR analysis confirms the successful degradation of the dye, with significant spectral changes indicating the breakdown of its molecular structure. Overall, results suggest that the TiO2 film plays a crucial role in the degradation process, while the addition of Cu improves the electrocatalytic rate without enhancing photocatalytic activity.