Promoting the photocatalytic reduction of CO₂ and dye degradation via multi metallic Sm_x modified CuCo₂O₄ Reverse spinel hybrid catalyst

Structuring a multi-functional photocatalyst of which enable high visible light harnessing so as to address the environmental pollution issues is the need of the hour. In view of this, a combination of catalytically active Cu, Co with enhanced adsorption capacity and Sm dopant that can enrich the catalyst with the defect centres would result in a tailor-made photocatalyst. Samarium (Sm) (1–12 wt %) doped CuCo₂O₄ were synthesized by simple precipitation route. The synergistic influence of Sm, Cu and Co on the photocatalytic ability has been ascertained by optical, structural and morphological methods like XRD, BET, SEM, XPS, Photocurrent, PL, ESR, fluorescence quenching, NMR methods. Thus prepared catalyst was utilized for the photo-catalytic mineralization of methylene blue and reaction was optimized and also it has been proven robust for the photo-reduction of CO₂ into value added products, which are identified by NMR spectral analysis. A comprehensive mechanism has been suggested based on the experimental results. The present research provides the concept of multi-functional photo-catalyst for effluent decontamination and CO₂ reduction.