2025 AIChE Annual Meeting

(410c) Assembly of Coral-like Delafossite-Structured AgFeO2 with a Polypyrrole Framework for Improved Photocatalytic Treatment of Trypan Blue Dye

Authors

Basem Al Alwan - Presenter, Wayne State University
Muhammad Aadil, Department of Chemistry, RahThe Islamia University of Bahawalpur
Faisal Alresheedi, Qassim University
Amira Alazmi, University of Hafr Al Batin
Atef El Jery, Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, Abha 61411, Saudi Arabia
Mazen Alrahili, Taibah University
Meri Algarni, Al-Baha University
Mohamed El-Aassar, Umm Al-Qura University
Thamer Alomayri, Umm Al-Qura University
In this study, we report the synthesis, structural, and photocatalytic analyses of a polypyrrole-integrated delafossite-structured silver-iron oxide (PPy@AgFeO2) composite. Silver-iron oxide (AgFeO2) was synthesized via a simple hydrothermal method, followed by the incorporation of AgFeO2 into a polypyrrole (PPy) matrix through chemical polymerization. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the formation of AgFeO2 with a hexagonal crystal system. Morphological studies revealed an intricate and interconnected coral-like structure for AgFeO2 that later merged with the PPy matrix, resulting in a well-integrated PPy@AgFeO2 composite. The BET surface area of PPy@AgFeO2 was determined to be 75.6 m²g−1, which was greater than that of pure AgFeO2 (63.8 m2g−1). For photocatalytic applications, compared with AgFeO2, the PPy@AgFeO2 composite demonstrated superior photodegradation performance, achieving 100 % degradation of trypan blue dye within 56 min under visible light irradiation, with a rate constant of 0.038 min−1. The incorporation of PPy into the composite played a crucial role in inhibiting charge recombination, reducing photo-corrosion, enhancing visible light absorption, and improving charge transfer. The synergistic properties of PPy, including its electron-capturing ability, broad π-conjugation, and intrinsic conductivity, combined with the catalytic activity of AgFeO2, make PPy@AgFeO2 an efficient photocatalyst. A comprehensive study on the effects of pH and temperature on photocatalytic performance revealed that the PPy@AgFeO2 composite exhibited maximum photocatalytic efficiency at an optimal pH of 4 and a temperature of 30 °C. Furthermore, scavenging and cycling experiments revealed the active species (*OH and O2-*) responsible for dye degradation and the sufficient stability of PPy@AgFeO2 for up to five cycles.