Bi/SnO2/TiO2-graphene nanocomposite photocatalyst for solar visible light–induced photodegradation of pentachlorophenol

Mohammad Hossein Sayadi (Lead / Corresponding author), Shahin Homaeigohar, Ayoob Rezaei, Hossein Shekari

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Citations (Scopus)
99 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

In this study, for the first time, a TiO2/graphene (G) heterostructure was synthesized and doped by Bi and SnO2 nanoparticles through a hydrothermal treatment. The as-synthesized nanocomposite was employed for photocatalytic degradation of pentachlorophenol (PCP) under visible light irradiation. Structural characterizations such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) proved the valence band alignment at Bi/SnO2/TiO2-G interfaces and crystallinity of the nanocomposite, respectively. The as-developed nanocomposite photocatalyst was able to decompose 84% PCP, thanks to the generation of a large number of active OH•− and O2•− radicals. To achieve this optimum photodegradation efficiency, various parameters such as pH, catalyst dosage, and PCP concentration were optimized. The results showed that the PCP photodegradation process followed the first-order kinetic model and the reaction rate constant rose from 0.007 min−1 (Bi) to 0.0149 min−1 (Bi/SnO2/TiO2-G). The PCP photodegradation efficiency did not decrease significantly after 5 cycles, and the nanocomposite photocatalyst still showed a high efficiency of 68% in the last cycle. The excellent photocatalytic activity of Bi/SnO2/TiO2-G is ascribed as well as the heterostructure of the nanocomposite photocatalyst.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)15236-15247
Number of pages12
JournalEnvironmental Science and Pollution Research
Volume28
Issue number12
Early online date24 Nov 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2021

Keywords

  • Advanced oxidation processes
  • Reusability
  • Solar photocatalysis
  • Water treatment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Pollution
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

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