Highly efficient Sunlight-Powered Photocatalytic Degradation of Rhodamine B Using Cu2Cr-LDH/TiO2 and Cu2Cr-LDH/BiOCl Semiconductor Nanocomposites

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

HAI ELYASSMIN BIR ELJDIR ORAN ALGERIA

Abstract

Abstract

This study explores the photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under sunlight irradiation using Cu2Cr-LDH/BiOCl and Cu2Cr-LDH/TiO2 nanocomposites. The structural, optical, and morphological properties of the materials were thoroughly by XRD, UV-vis spectroscopy, XPS, and SEM. The primary objective was to assess the photocatalytic efficiency of these nanocomposites in degrading of RhB dye under sunlight. The Cu2Cr-LDH/BiOCl nanocomposite exhibited superior photocatalytic performance, achieving 90.29 % RhB degradation, significantly outperforming Cu2Cr-LDH/TiO2 (56.45%) and pure Cu2Cr-LDH (31.36%). This enhanced efficiency is attributed to the formation of a heterojunction between Cu2Cr-LDH and BiOCl, which facilitates effective separation and transfer of charge carriers. The improved photocatalytic activity is primarily attributed to the well-dispersed BiOCl phase on the Cu₂Cr-LDH surface, demonstrating that interfacial architecture plays a more critical role than simply increasing the Bi or Ti content. Hydroxyl radicals and holes were determined to be the primary active species responsible for the degradation process. Additionally, both nanocomposites demonstrated remarkable stability and reusability, retaining high catalytic efficiency over four consecutive cycles. A detailed photocatalytic mechanism was proposed to explain the enhanced activity of the nanocomposites, highlighting the synergistic effects of the heterojunction structure and efficient charge carrier dynamics.

Keywords: Photocatalysis; Cu2Cr-LDH; RhB Degradation; Heterojunction Formation; Sunlight-Driven Catalysis.

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Main Subjects

Advances in Environmental Technology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 02 May 2026

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History

  • Receive Date: 09 September 2025
  • Revise Date: 23 April 2026
  • Accept Date: 02 May 2026

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