A Biocompatible Metal‐Derived Nanocomposite as an Efficient Photocatalyst for Wastewater Treatment

ABSTRACT A straightforward and simple mechanical alloying (MA) method was used to develop the Cu‐doped TiO 2 ‐Ag nanocomposite (NC) for removing organic pollutants from industrial wastewater. The structure and microstructure of the nanocomposite are characterized by analyzing its X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns employing the Rietveld refinement method, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectra, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP‐OES) spectra, FESEM images, EDX spectrum analysis, elemental mapping, UV‐Vis spectroscopy, and thermal gravimetric (TG) analysis. The photocatalytic activity of Cu doped TiO 2 ‐Ag nanocomposite has been compared with that of pure TiO 2 , Ag, and TiO 2 ‐Ag nanocomposites, estimated by the degradation of Methyl Orange (MO), as a model organic dye pollutant. Therefore, we provide a straightforward, affordable, and easy method for developing a novel biocompatible nanocomposite with significant photocatalytic activity.