Issue 5, 2024

Mechanistic investigation of the photocatalytic activity of PEDOT for aqueous contaminant removal: the role of iron and hydroxyl radicals

Abstract

In this study, the conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) was successfully polymerised through electrochemical (E-PEDOT) and chemical oxidative (C-PEDOT) polymerisation techniques. The photocatalytic reaction mechanism of PEDOT in removing aqueous contaminants, including hexazinone and methylene blue, was investigated with and without the use of Fe(III). An increase in iron concentration during PEDOT irradiation resulted in enhanced degradation of the contaminants. Moreover, E-PEDOT showed up to ∼90% removal of contaminants by a combination of adsorption and photocatalysis effects. Hydroxyl radicals played a critical role in the photocatalytic degradation of contaminants using PEDOT, in the presence and absence of iron. This mechanism was proved through coumarin degradation. When evaluating reusability, E-PEDOT showed a decrease in its adsorption behaviour but a consistent photocatalytic activity. Finally, it was revealed that the addition of iron externally or during chemical polymerisation could boost PEDOT performance. Therefore, it is worth considering the implementation of the UV/Fe(III)/PEDOT system, exhibiting remarkable efficacy in eliminating organic contaminants from aqueous solutions.

Graphical abstract: Mechanistic investigation of the photocatalytic activity of PEDOT for aqueous contaminant removal: the role of iron and hydroxyl radicals

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
09 dec 2023
Accepted
18 mar 2024
First published
11 apr 2024
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2024,10, 1256-1270

Mechanistic investigation of the photocatalytic activity of PEDOT for aqueous contaminant removal: the role of iron and hydroxyl radicals

T. Jasemizad, J. Malmström and L. P. Padhye, Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2024, 10, 1256 DOI: 10.1039/D3EW00910F

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