Bacterial cellulose flakes loaded with Bi2MoO6 nanoparticles and quantum dots for the photodegradation of antibiotic and dye pollutants

Mengying Xu; Yichao Deng; Shanhu Li; Jingyan Zheng; Jieyu Liu; Pier-Luc Tremblay; Tian Zhang

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137249

Bacterial cellulose flakes loaded with Bi₂MoO₆ nanoparticles and quantum dots for the photodegradation of antibiotic and dye pollutants

Chemosphere. 2023 Jan;312(Pt 1):137249. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137249. Epub 2022 Nov 16.

Authors

Mengying Xu¹, Yichao Deng², Shanhu Li³, Jingyan Zheng², Jieyu Liu², Pier-Luc Tremblay⁴, Tian Zhang⁵

Affiliations

¹ Shaoxing Institute for Advanced Research, Wuhan University of Technology, Shaoxing, 312300, PR China; School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, PR China; School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, PR China.
² School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, PR China.
³ School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, PR China.
⁴ Shaoxing Institute for Advanced Research, Wuhan University of Technology, Shaoxing, 312300, PR China; School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, PR China. Electronic address: pierluct@whut.edu.cn.
⁵ Shaoxing Institute for Advanced Research, Wuhan University of Technology, Shaoxing, 312300, PR China; School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, PR China; Sanya Science and Education Innovation Park, Wuhan University of Technology, Sanya, 572024, PR China; School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, PR China; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, PR China. Electronic address: tzhang@whut.edu.cn.

PMID: 36400196
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137249

Abstract

Effective strategies to improve charge separation in semiconductor particles are critical for improving the photodegradation of organic pollutants at levels sufficient for environmental applications. Herein, Bi₂MoO₆ (BMO_MOF), comprising both nanoparticles (NPs) and quantum dots (QDs), was synthesized from a bismuth-based metal-organic framework (Bi-MOF) precursor. Surface defects on BMO_MOF, the combination of NPs and QDs, and modified energy band edges improved photogenerated charge separation and facilitated redox reactions. When compared to BMO derived from uncoordinated Bi, the BMO_MOF photocatalyst (PC) was more efficient at photodegrading tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) and ciprofloxacin (CIP), two widely-used antibiotics ubiquitous in wastewater, as well as the carcinogenic pollutant rhodamine B (RhB). BMO_MOF was then loaded on the biopolymer bacterial cellulose (BC) to further enhance photocatalytic performance and facilitate the recovery of the PC after water treatment processes. The novel BMO_MOF/BC photocatalytic flakes were significantly larger than pure BMO_MOF, and thus easier to recuperate. Furthermore, anchoring BMO_MOF on BC flakes augmented significantly the photodegradation of TCH, CIP, and RhB, mainly because hydroxyl groups in BC act as hole traps facilitating photogenerated electron-hole separation. Results obtained with BMO_MOF/BC highlight promising approaches to develop optimal PCs for aqueous pollutants degradation.

Keywords: Antibiotic; Bacterial cellulose; Bi2MoO6 nanoparticle; Dye; Photodegradation; Quantum dot.

MeSH terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Catalysis
Cellulose
Ciprofloxacin
Environmental Pollutants*
Nanoparticles*
Photolysis
Quantum Dots*
Tetracycline

Substances

Cellulose
Bi(2)MoO(6)
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Environmental Pollutants
Ciprofloxacin
Tetracycline