Visible light-induced highly efficient organic pollutant degradation and concomitant CO2 fixation using red lead

Abstract

Herein, red lead (Pb₃O₄) is firstly reported to be able to degrade organic pollutants efficiently and simultaneously fix CO₂ in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation. CO₂ bubbling accelerates both the organic contaminant decomposition and the CO₂ fixation. Pb₃O₄ was partially transformed to Pb₃(CO₃)₂(OH)₂ or PbCO₃ in the process. Thermal decomposition of the solid products can obtain high concentration of pure CO₂ and PbO. Pb₃O₄ can be regenerated easily by calcinations of PbO in O₂ atmosphere. This work provides a possible route to purify organic wastewater and fix CO₂ synchronously with visible light illumination.