Structural characterization of PVDF/PVA polymer blend film doped with different concentration of NiO NPs for photocatalytic degradation of malachite green dye under visible light

Abstract Structural, optical and photodegradation performance of PVDF/PVA polymer blend doped with different concentration of NiO NPs were studied using casting technique method. The effect of adding NiO NPs on PVDF/PVA are investigated using X‐ray Diffraction (XRD), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (HRTEM), Fourier Transform Infrared–Attenuated Total Reflection (FTIR–ATR), Ultraviolet–Visible Spectroscopy (UV–Vis), and High Resolution Scanning Electron Microscope (HRSEM). XRD results showed that the addition of NiO NPs increase the crystallinity of PVDF/PVA. The appearance and shifting of bands in FTIR–ATR indicate the structural change in the PVDF/PVA with adding NiO NPs combined with decrease in the band gap of nanocomposite films compared to pure blend in UV–Vis confirmed the incorporation of NiO NPs in PVDF/PVA. HRTEM shows the size of NiO NPs ranges from 3 to 10 nm which is agreed with that calculated from Scherrer equation. HRSEM shows a change in surface morphology of nanocomposite sample. Malachite green dye as a textile wastewater pollutant model was chosen to assess the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of PVDF/PVA/NiO NPs. Gradual rising of the weight % of NiO in the prepared films results in higher photocatalytic efficiencies. Photocatalytic activity of PVDF/PVA/7% NiO NPs was 95.4% degradation of malachite green dye at pH 9, 3 g/L film weight and 300 min visible light irradiation. Photocatalytic degradation reaction for malachite green dyes is compatible with Pseudo first‐order kinetic model. Reusability results affirm a low decrease in photocatalytic performance after five runs makes the nanocomposite suitable for applications where reusability is a significant core factor.