Harnessing the Dual photocatalytic and electrochemical capabilities of pure and Ni-Doped MgO nanostructures for diclofenac detection

Abstract

A pure MgO and MgO doped with 2, 4, 6, and 8 mol% of NiOnanoparticles (NPs)were prepared using the solution combustion technique.Several spectral techniques were used to characterize the synthesizedNPs.The XRD analysis revealed theaverage particle size of theMgO-infused NiO nanomaterialwas ranging between 16.28 and 71.26 nm.A distinct plate-like or slice-like quality to the morphology was observed during the SEM analysis. The average energy gap (Eg) value of NiO doped MgONPs(Ni:MgONPs)was found to be 4.29 eV.The preparedNi:MgONPsexhibited good electrochemical characteristics. These nanoparticles were successfully used for the detection of diclofenac molecule using the modified graphite electrodes with 0.1 N HCl as an electrolyte.The results shows an oxidation peak at 0.19 V before diclofenac was added, later it is migrated significantly towards the positive potential (0.07 V) after diclofenac was added. The pure MgO and MgO doped with 2, 4, 6, and 8 mol% of NiOwere used for further studies of photodecolorization of Drimaren blue dye under UV/sunlight irradiation.The reduction in the peak intensity of Drimaren Blue dye was observed. MgO exhibited an enhanced photocatalytic activity of 68.7 % and MgO:NiO exhibited 81.9 %.According to these studies, the 6 mol% NiO doped MgO is a viable choice for the wastewater treatment and electrochemical detection of diclofenac.

Keywords

• MgO:Ni
• Energy gap
• Drimaren blue dye
• Electrochemical Sensor
• Diclofenac