Investigation of the molecular interactions between Gambier leaf extract and layered double hydroxide photocatalysts by inelastic neutron scattering - MAPS

The widespread presence of antibiotics like tetracycline (TC) in aquatic environments presents serious ecological and health challenges, highlighting the need for effective and eco-friendly photocatalysts for their removal. Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have emerged as promising materials due to their adjustable composition, large surface area, and excellent anion exchange capacity. However, their photocatalytic efficiency is often hampered by limited light absorption and fast recombination of charge carriers. This research explores the enhancement of LDH photocatalytic activity through eco-friendly functionalisation using Gambier (G) leaf extract. Rich in polyphenols, gambier offers light-harvesting properties and helps improve structural stability. The resulting LDH-G composites were analysed using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), confirming the successful incorporation of gambier and the presence of relevant functional groups. To better understand the molecular interactions during TC degradation, inelastic neutron scattering (INS) is proposed as a complementary technique. Initial findings indicate vibrational shifts, especially in hydroxyl regions, pointing to active interactions. Further INS analysis is planned to gain deeper mechanistic insights for optimising LDH surface functionalisation in TC degradation applications.