Activation of persulfate (PS) and peroxymonosulfate (PMS) and application for the degradation of emerging contaminants

Application of peroxymonosulfate and its activation methods for degradation of environmental organic pollutants: Review

A review of the innovations in metal- and carbon-based catalysts explored for heterogeneous peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation, with focus on radical vs. non-radical degradation pathways of organic contaminants

A review on heterogeneous photocatalysis for environmental remediation: From semiconductors to modification strategies

As the most promising environment-friendly photocatalyst, titanium dioxide admittedly has two shortcomings of low sunlight utilization efficiency and poor quantum yield. Nitrogen doping and TiO2 loading on carbon materials can improve the above two problems, respectively. But a facile synthetic method for titanium dioxide composites with stable structure and high visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity is still desired by researchers. Herein we obtained two-dimensional layered nitrogen-doped carbon-supported titanium dioxides (N-TiO2@C) via a one-step in-situ fabrication way from a novel two-dimensional layered transition metal carbide Ti3C2 MXene as carbon skeleton and homologous titanium source. Based on the negatively charged and easily oxidized property of Ti3C2 MXene, it was assembled with nitrogen-containing cationic compound via electrostatic interactions and then in-situ transformed into nitrogen-doped carbon-supported TiO2 in a CO2 atmosphere at 550 °C. The obtained composites of porous 2D layered N-TiO2@C with high stability, outstanding electron transfer performance and excellent visible-light photocatalytic activity exhibits the high efficiency of phenol degradation with the apparent rate constant k of 1.646 × 10−2 min−1. It provides a facile new method for the preparation of visible-light-driven titanium dioxide with excellent catalytic performance, structural stability and good application prospects in the environmental purification.

One-step in-situ preparation of N-doped TiO2@C derived from Ti3C2 MXene for enhanced visible-light driven photodegradation

Heterogeneous activation of peroxymonosulfate by LaFeO3 for diclofenac degradation: DFT-assisted mechanistic study and degradation pathways

Fabrication of photocatalysis films with good adhesion, hydrophilicity, and high activity on substrates at room temperature is essential for their application in air pollution control. Herein, functionalized transparent composite films containing ultrathin protonated g-C3N4 (pCN) nanosheets and Ti3+ self-doped TiO2 nanoparticles (pCN/TiO2) were fabricated on glass at room temperature. Thickness of the films measures 80 nm with surface roughness of 7.16 nm. The adhesion ability was attributed to the viscosity of TiO2 sol, which served as “chemical glue” in the films. The high photo-induced hydrophilicity demonstrated their self-cleaning potential. pCN/TiO2 films showed remarkably high visible-light-driven activity in terms of NO removal in a continuous-flow mode. Photoelectrochemical tests demonstrated the superior charge separation efficiency of pCN/TiO2 films compared with that of pristine TiO2. As identified by electron spin resonance spectra, O2− and OH radicals were the key reactive species involved in NO removal. The possible mechanism for photocatalytic NO oxidation was proposed. Potential cytotoxicity of pCN/TiO2 films was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay to ensure the biosecurity. This work provides a facile route to fabricate nanocomposite films under ambient temperature. The nanocomposite films were characterized by photo-induced hydrophilicity, high NO removal efficiency, and good biocompatibility, showing its potential in large-scale application.

Protonated g-C3N4/Ti3+ self-doped TiO2 nanocomposite films: Room-temperature preparation, hydrophilicity, and application for photocatalytic NOx removal

The design of efficient, stable and biocompatible photocatalysts for air purification is still a challenge. In this work, we report a Z-scheme α-Bi2O3/CuBi2O4 composite with high-quality interfaces using an in situ synthesis method. The α-Bi2O3/CuBi2O4 displays significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity for NO removal (30 %) in comparison with α-Bi2O3 (17 %) under visible light irradiation. Based on characterizations, theoretical calculations and ESR tests, the Z-scheme migration mechanism of photoinduced electrons and holes on α-Bi2O3/CuBi2O4 heterojunction was proposed. The formation of intermediates and products was monitored by in situ DRIFTS. The NO adsorption and activation on α-Bi2O3/CuBi2O4 surface are more favorable than that on α-Bi2O3 surface. The α-Bi2O3/CuBi2O4 also shows high selectivity for the conversion of NO to NO- 3. Moreover, the cytotoxicity of α-Bi2O3/CuBi2O4 exposed to human alveolar epithelial cell has been evaluated for its potential application in air purification. This work provides a new perspective regarding the design of Z-scheme heterojunctions by an in situ method and a promising photocatalyst suitable for air pollution control.

Yongfang Rao

Papers

Heterogeneous activation of peroxymonosulfate by LaFeO3 for diclofenac degradation: DFT-assisted mechanistic study and degradation pathways

Protonated g-C3N4/Ti3+ self-doped TiO2 nanocomposite films: Room-temperature preparation, hydrophilicity, and application for photocatalytic NOx removal

In situ construction of biocompatible Z-scheme α-Bi2O3/CuBi2O4 heterojunction for NO removal under visible light

Efficient degradation of diclofenac by LaFeO3-Catalyzed peroxymonosulfate oxidation---kinetics and toxicity assessment.

Degradation of ibuprofen by a synergistic UV/Fe(III)/Oxone process