BiOCl-Bi12O17Cl2 nanocomposite with high visible-light photocatalytic activity prepared by an ultrasonic hydrothermal method for removing dye and pharmaceutical

A BiOCl-Bi12O17Cl2 nanocomposite with a high visible-light response and a low photoinduced electron-hole pair recombination rate was successfully synthesized using an ultrasonic-hydrothermal method.The texture,structure,optical,and photocatalytic properties of the composite were characterized.The results showed that the composite had a sheet flower-like structure with a large specific surface area.Ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflection spectra and photoluminescence spectra showed that the composite had an excellent visible-light response and a low recombination rate of photoinduced electron hole pairs.The photocatalytic property of the composite was evaluated by the removal efficiency of rhodamine B and ciprofloxacin under visible-light illumination.The composite’s reaction rate constant of removing rhodamine B(/ciprofloxacin)was approximately 8.14(/4.94),42.63(/11.91)and 64.66(/36.07)times that of Bi12O17Cl2,P25,and BiOCl,respectively.Furthermore,the composite showed a wide applicable pH range and excellent reusability.Mechanism analysis showed that photogenerated holes played a dominant role and·O2–also contributed to photocatalytic degradation.In summary,this study presents a high-efficiency photocatalyst for wastewater treatment.

Ce-based catalysts used in advanced oxidation processes for organic wastewater treatment: A review

Refractory organic pollutants in water threaten human health and environmental safety,and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are effective for the degradation of these pollutants.Catalysts play vital role in AOPs,and Ce-based catalysts have exhibited excellent performance.Recently,the development and application of Ce-based catalysts in various AOPs have been reported.Our study conducts the first review in this rapid growing field.This paper clarifies the variety and properties of Ce-based catalysts.Their applications in different AOP systems (catalytic ozonation,photodegradation,Fenton-like reactions,sulfate radicalbased AOPs,and catalytic sonochemistry) are discussed.Different Ce-based catalysts suit different reaction systems and produce different active radicals.Finally,future research directions of Ce-based catalysts in AOP systems are suggested.

MnCeOx/diatomite catalyst for persulfate activation to degrade organic pollutants

Persulfate(PS)-based oxidation technologies are attracting increasing attentions in water treatment due to their high efficiency and stability.In this study,a novel diatomite supported MnCeOx composite(MnCeOx/diatomite) was prepared and characterized for activation of PS to degrade organic pollutants.Results indicated that diatomite not only dispersed MnCeOx and increased the specific surface area of catalyst,but also improved the low-valence metal site(Mn^2+and Ce^3+) and reactive oxygen species site(-OH) of MnCeOx,thus enhancing the activities of MnCeOx.MnCeOx/diatomite/PS showed high efficiency for multiple dyes and pharmaceutical pollutants.Constant rate(k) of MnCeOx/diatomite(kMnCeOx/diatomite) was three times higher than the sum of constant rate of MnCeOx(kMnCeOx)and constant rate of diatomite(kdiatomite).In addition,MnCeOx/diatomite showed wide pH application(5-9).Cl^- and NO3^2- had no effect while SO4^2- and humid acid had slightly negative effects on MnCeOx/diatomite/PS system.Moreover,MnCeOx/diatomite showed good reusability and stability.Mechanism analyses indicated that electron transfer of Mn and Ce attributed to the activation of PS and oxygen to produce free radicals.SO4·^-,·OH and O2·^-on the surface of catalyst were the main active free radicals to attack pollutants.

Fabrication of Bi-Bi3O4Cl plasmon photocatalysts for removal of aqueous emerging contaminants under visible light

Photocatalytic oxidation of emerging contaminants(ECs) in water has recently gained extensive attentions. In this study, bismuth oxychloride-based plasmon photocatalysts(BiBiOCl) exhibiting high performance were successfully developed by reducing Bion the surface of BiOCl. Consequently, the photocatalysts were used to remove ECs from water.The effects of developmental process and Bi metal plasmon resonance on the photoelectric performances of Bi-BiOCl were investigated through a series of characterizations. The UV-vis diffuse reflection and photoluminescence spectra revealed that the light absorption range of the photocatalyst gradually increased and the electron recombination rate gradually decreased with the introduction of Bi metals. The optimal removal rates of ciprofloxacin and tetrabromobisphenol A by Bi-BiOCl were 93.8% and 96.4%;the respective reaction rate constants were 5.48 and 4.93 times higher than that of BiOCl. The mechanism study indicated that main reactants in the photocatalytic system were ·O-2radicals and photogenerated holes, and the existence of oxygen vacancies and Bi metals promoted electron transfer in photocatalyst. In conclusion, this research produces a novel, green, highly efficient, and stable visible light photocatalyst for the removal of ECs from water.