| Autor: |
Jayeola KD; Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein Campus, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa.; Centre for Nanomaterials Science Research, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa., Sipuka DS; Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein Campus, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa.; Centre for Nanomaterials Science Research, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa., Sebokolodi TI; Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein Campus, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa.; Centre for Nanomaterials Science Research, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa., Babalola JO; Department of Chemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200005, Oyo State, Nigeria.; Bowen University, Iwo 232101, Osun State, Nigeria., Zhou M; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Technology for Complex Trans-Media Pollution, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China., Marken F; Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein Campus, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa.; Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, U.K., Arotiba OA; Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein Campus, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa.; Centre for Nanomaterials Science Research, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa. |
| Abstrakt: |
To develop a semiconductor interface with enhanced spatial separation of carriers under visible light irradiation for the photoelectrochemical (PEC) oxidation process, we explored the fabrication of a Bi 2 O 2 S/NiTiO 3 heterojunction photoanode for the removal of sulfamethoxazole in water. The Bi 2 O 2 S/NiTiO 3 photoanode was synthesized via an in situ hydrothermal process, and it exhibited better light absorption and charge separation, as well as a reduced rate of recombination of photoexcited charge species compared to pristine Bi 2 O 2 S and NiTiO 3. The improved photoelectrocatalytic performance was attributed to the synergistic interaction between Bi 2 O 2 S and NiTiO 3 and the presence of an S-O bond at the heterojunction interface, thus resulting in Z-scheme heterojunction formation. Various characterization methods such as XPS, UV-DRS, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, photoluminescence, FESEM, TEM, and photocurrent response measurements were explored to explain the optical and electrochemical properties of the semiconductor heterojunction. The PEC degradation process was optimized, demonstrating a degradation efficiency removal of 80% for 5 mg/L sulfamethoxazole in water, with a TOC removal of 45.5%. A Z-scheme heterojunction formation mechanism was proposed to explain the enhanced photoelectrocatalytic activity of the photoanode. This work generally contributes to the development of efficient and sustainable photoanodes for environmental remediation. |
