Professors Fei Yan and Ufana Riaz from North Carolina Central University (NCCU), in partnership with Professor Ray Schaak from Pennsylvania State University (PSU), have joined forces on pioneering research showcased in the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry. Their collaborative effort centers on the synthesis and characterization of Zn- and Fe-doped CuO nanosheets, acting as photocatalysts for the degradation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as methylene blue and malachite green.
Given the pressing environmental and health concerns associated with POPs, this study explores visible photocatalysts as a promising solution, harnessing solar energy for pollutant breakdown under visible light.
The synthesized nanosheets exhibit enhanced visible light absorption and reduced electron-hole recombination, leading to a significant improvement in the photodegradation efficiency of methylene blue and malachite green. These findings open up novel avenues for the development of efficient visible photocatalysts for POPs remediation, marking a crucial step forward in environmental stewardship.
This collaborative effort between NCCU and PSU highlights the power of teamwork in driving impactful scientific advancements. By pooling their expertise, the researchers have laid the groundwork for innovative solutions to pressing environmental challenges.
