Synthesis and Performance Evaluation of Zr(CUR)-Based Photocatalytic Composites for Carbon Dioxide Reduction

The development of efficient photocatalytic materials for carbon dioxide (CO۲) conversion has attracted considerable attention as a promising strategy for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable energy technologies. In this study, zirconium-curcumin (Zr(CUR))-based photocatalytic composites were synthesized and modified with metal sulfide semiconductors, including CuCo₂S۴/Ag₂S and CoNi₂S۴/Ag₂S, through a hydrothermal approach to improve their photocatalytic activity toward CO۲ reduction. The synthesized materials were evaluated using a fluidized-bed photocatalytic reactor under light irradiation, and the effects of key operational parameters, including catalyst dosage, CO۲ concentration, and irradiation time, were investigated using a central composite design (CCD). The results demonstrated that the prepared composites exhibited significant photocatalytic performance, with process optimization successfully describing the relationship between operational factors and CO۲ degradation efficiency. Statistical analysis based on analysis of variance (ANOVA) confirmed the validity of the developed quadratic model, showing excellent agreement between experimental and predicted values (R۲ = ۰.۹۹۷۶). The enhanced photocatalytic behavior of the composites can be attributed to the synergistic interaction between the Zr(CUR) framework and metal sulfide components, which promotes light absorption, charge transfer, and the generation of reactive species. These findings highlight the potential of Zr(CUR)-based hybrid photocatalysts as effective materials for CO۲ reduction and environmental remediation applications.

کلیدواژه ها:

Photocatalytic CO۲ reduction ، Zr(CUR) composite ، Metal sulfide photocatalyst ، Carbon dioxide degradation ، Hydrothermal synthesis ، Response surface methodology