Exploitation of Sb P-doped C3N4 and peroxidase immobilized on epoxidized linseed oil films for pollutant removal

Abstract

We utilized the combination of heterogeneous photocatalysis with soybean peroxidase (SBP) to allow the degradation of refractory pollutants. A self-standing system was developed via UV-curing by dispersing Sb P-doped C₃N₄ and SBP onto a bio-based film composed of epoxidized linseed oil. Peroxidase enzymes are activated by hydrogen peroxide that, in our system, is provided via coupling with a photocatalyst; specifically, the remarkable capability of atomically dispersed antimony P-doped carbon nitride in the hydrogen peroxide production was leveraged to create this hybrid material, establishing a self-sustaining system with limited use of reactants. 2,4-Dichlorophenol (DCP) was used as a target molecule to assess the degradative performances of the so-produced films, considering two scenarios: (a) films containing Sb P-doped C₃N₄ only and (b) films holding a layer of the photocatalyst and a layer of SBP. The multilayer film is the most efficient, with a fourfold increase in the kinetic constants compared to the film with the catalyst only. Experiments were also extended to a mixture of imidacloprid, DCP, diclofenac and bisphenol A in actual water, where the overall degradation efficiency remains high, and the multilayer film is reaffirmed as the most effective.