Anatase TiO2 decorated CuCr2O4 nanocomposite: A versatile photocatalyst under domestic LED light irradiation

Highlights: • First report on CuCr₂O₄/anatase-TiO₂ nanocomposite as an efficient photocatalyst. • Synthesis at 400 °C causes maximum activity under domestic LED light irradiation. • CuCr₂O₄/TiO₂ is active for the degradation of azo dyes like MB, RhB and MO. • Nanocomposite can degrade tetracycline hydrochloride and norfloxacine antibiotics. • It is shown to be a promising candidate for oxygen evolution reaction. The rutile and anatase polymorphs of TiO₂ are the most extensively studied photocatalyst materials with the efficient absorption in the violet to near ultra violet region of the electromagnetic spectrum, which boost tremendous research endeavors in increasing the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ under visible light sources through rational modifications. Here, we report the astonishing performance of CuCr₂O₄(CCO)/anatase-TiO₂ nanocomposite as a Fenton like catalyst with potential impact for sustainable design and environmental protection. All the materials were thoroughly characterized by several physico chemical techniques. CCO/TiO₂ nanocomposite obtained by heat-treatment at 400 °C is found to exhibit high performance towards degradation of azo dyes like methylene blue (MB), rhodamine B (RhB) and methyl orange (MO), antibiotics like tetracycline hydrochloride and norfloxacine, and a promising Pt-free candidate for photoelectrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction under domestic light emitting diode (LED) light irradiation. CCO/TiO₂ shows high recycling activity and chemical stability. Under domestic visible LED light irradiation, the electrons are photoexcited from the conduction band of CCO to that of TiO₂ resulting in enhanced charge separation eventually facilitating the catalytic performance of the nanocomposite. TiO₂ plays two primordial roles, firstly, it acts as an electron receiver to improve the charge separation in the nanocomposite and secondly, it participates in the Fenton like reaction.