{"title":"An S-scheme TiO2/g-C3N4 nanocomposite effectively degrades phenanthrene under visible light","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.colsurfa.2024.135554","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>It is a challenge to effectively degrade phenanthrene (PHE) pollutants, which are widely present in aquatic environments, in order to reduce harm to humans and ecosystems. In this study, an S-scheme TiO<sub>2</sub>/g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> photocatalytic system is constructed using 0D TiO<sub>2</sub> nanospheres and 2D g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> nanosheets for the removal of PHE from water under sunlight irradiation. The effects of irradiation time, quality ratio of TiO<sub>2</sub> to g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>, and cycle time on the performance of the TiO<sub>2</sub>/CN photocatalyst are investigated. The experimental results show that the ratio of TiO<sub>2</sub> to g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> significantly affects the photocatalytic activity of the photocatalyst. Under the optimal ratio of TiO<sub>2</sub> to g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> (50 % TiO<sub>2</sub>/CN), the apparent reaction rate constant for phenanthrene reached 0.00796 min<sup>−1</sup>, which is 11.5 times higher than that of pure TiO<sub>2</sub> (0.00069 min<sup>−1</sup>). The tests of optical performance and photoelectrochemical properties further confirmed that the construction of the TiO<sub>2</sub>/g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> S-type photocatalyst successfully enhanced the spatial separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers and ensured a continuous supply of energy during the redox reaction process. Converting highly toxic phenanthrene into a non-toxic green degradation product provides an practical strategy for the safe treatment of PHE in aqueous environments through the use of visible-light-driven heterojunction photocatalysts. Additionally, the data collected on phenanthrene degradation in this study will provide valuable references for developing degradation methods for other PAHs, such as naphthalene, anthracene, and pyrene.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":278,"journal":{"name":"Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.9000,"publicationDate":"2024-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects","FirstCategoryId":"92","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S092777572402418X","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"CHEMISTRY, PHYSICAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
It is a challenge to effectively degrade phenanthrene (PHE) pollutants, which are widely present in aquatic environments, in order to reduce harm to humans and ecosystems. In this study, an S-scheme TiO2/g-C3N4 photocatalytic system is constructed using 0D TiO2 nanospheres and 2D g-C3N4 nanosheets for the removal of PHE from water under sunlight irradiation. The effects of irradiation time, quality ratio of TiO2 to g-C3N4, and cycle time on the performance of the TiO2/CN photocatalyst are investigated. The experimental results show that the ratio of TiO2 to g-C3N4 significantly affects the photocatalytic activity of the photocatalyst. Under the optimal ratio of TiO2 to g-C3N4 (50 % TiO2/CN), the apparent reaction rate constant for phenanthrene reached 0.00796 min−1, which is 11.5 times higher than that of pure TiO2 (0.00069 min−1). The tests of optical performance and photoelectrochemical properties further confirmed that the construction of the TiO2/g-C3N4 S-type photocatalyst successfully enhanced the spatial separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers and ensured a continuous supply of energy during the redox reaction process. Converting highly toxic phenanthrene into a non-toxic green degradation product provides an practical strategy for the safe treatment of PHE in aqueous environments through the use of visible-light-driven heterojunction photocatalysts. Additionally, the data collected on phenanthrene degradation in this study will provide valuable references for developing degradation methods for other PAHs, such as naphthalene, anthracene, and pyrene.
期刊介绍:
Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects is an international journal devoted to the science underlying applications of colloids and interfacial phenomena.
The journal aims at publishing high quality research papers featuring new materials or new insights into the role of colloid and interface science in (for example) food, energy, minerals processing, pharmaceuticals or the environment.