Issue 9, 2024

Efficient visible-light-driven photocatalysis: simultaneous degradation of multiple pollutants with bismuth oxyhalide solid solutions

Abstract

Visible-light-driven photocatalysis is considered as a sustainable and cost-effective method for water remediation. In aquatic environments, the coexistence of multiple contaminants, such as organic and inorganic compounds, poses a potential threat to both biological organisms and human health, complicating their removal. Despite the urgent need for the development of comprehensive solutions, the research on the concurrent and simultaneous removal of multiple pollutants remains limited primarily relies on photocatalysts based on heterojunctions. To address this issue, we have prepared BiOCl0.9I0.1 and BiOBr0.9I0.1 solid solutions, exhibiting well-tailored band gaps and energetics of the conduction and valence bands, using an easy chemical precipitation approach. These synthesized materials exhibited exceptional photocatalytic efficacy under visible light, effectively removing a complex mixture of contaminants, including ciprofloxacin (CIP), methylparaben (MP), and rhodamine B (RhB), from water. Particularly noteworthy was the outstanding performance of BiOCl0.9I0.1, which demonstrated a complete removal of RhB within 10 min, CIP within 40 min, and an 86% degradation of MP within 40 min. This superior performance can be attributed to the materials' exceptional optical and (photo)electrochemical properties. Furthermore, the synergistic or antagonistic effects coexisting contaminants, organic matter, and inorganic ions on the photodegradation process were also investigated. Additionally, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the elucidation of the degradation pathways were examined providing valuable insights into the intricate interplay of environmental factors that may have an influence on the photocatalytic performance. Our study shows, therefore, the high potential of BiOCl0.9I0.1 and BiOBr0.9I0.1 as promising candidates for the simultaneous removal of diverse water pollutants, offering a robust and efficient approach towards advancing water purification technologies.

Graphical abstract: Efficient visible-light-driven photocatalysis: simultaneous degradation of multiple pollutants with bismuth oxyhalide solid solutions

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
24 May 2024
Accepted
22 Jun 2024
First published
24 Jun 2024
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2024,10, 2087-2102

Efficient visible-light-driven photocatalysis: simultaneous degradation of multiple pollutants with bismuth oxyhalide solid solutions

H. Pérez del Pulgar, J. Ortiz-Bustos, S. Gómez-Ruiz, I. del Hierro and Y. Pérez, Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2024, 10, 2087 DOI: 10.1039/D4EW00410H

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements