La-doping induced localized excess electrons on (BiO)2CO3 for efficient photocatalytic NO removal and toxic intermediates suppression

Chaowei Yuan; Ruimin Chen; Jiaodong Wang; Huizhong Wu; Jianping Sheng; Fan Dong; Yanjuan Sun

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123174

La-doping induced localized excess electrons on (BiO)₂CO₃ for efficient photocatalytic NO removal and toxic intermediates suppression

J Hazard Mater. 2020 Dec 5:400:123174. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123174. Epub 2020 Jun 11.

Authors

Chaowei Yuan¹, Ruimin Chen¹, Jiaodong Wang¹, Huizhong Wu¹, Jianping Sheng², Fan Dong¹, Yanjuan Sun³

Affiliations

¹ Chongqing Key Laboratory of Catalysis and New Environmental Materials, College of Environment and Resources, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing 400067, China; School of Resources and Environment, Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China.
² School of Resources and Environment, Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China.
³ Chongqing Key Laboratory of Catalysis and New Environmental Materials, College of Environment and Resources, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing 400067, China; School of Resources and Environment, Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China. Electronic address: syhsyj@163.com.

PMID: 32569988
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123174

Abstract

Photocatalysis technology has been extensively adopted to abate typical air pollutants. Nevertheless, it is a challenge to develop photocatalysts aiming to simultaneously improve photocatalytic selectivity and efficiency. In this study, to improve the photocatalytic selectivity and the performance of (BiO)₂CO₃ in the oxidation of NO to target products (NO₂^- /NO₃^-), we developed a novel method to construct La-doped (BiO)₂CO₃ (La-BOC) for forming localized excess electrons (Ex) on (BiO)₂CO₃ surface. The results indicate that the Ex could effectively accelerate the activation of reactants and promote charge separation and transfer. Under visible light, the gas molecules could capture the Ex and get activated to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) with high oxidation ability, which enables complete oxidation of NO to target products instead of producing other toxic by-products. Due to the functionality of the Ex, the photocatalytic selectivity and efficiency of La-BOC have been synchronously improved. Combining experimental and theoretical methods, this work unravels the pathway of charge carriers transportation/transformation and elucidates the photocatalytic NO oxidation mechanism. The present work could provide a novel method to improve photocatalytic selectivity and activity for safe air pollutant abatement.

Keywords: La doping; Localized excess electrons; NO oxidation; Reaction mechanism; Selective photocatalysis.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't