Construction of type-II scheme SnO@HfC photocatalyst for bisphenol A degradation via peroxymonosulfate activation; DFT and self-cleaning analysis

Ghulam Abbas Ashraf; Raqiqa Tur Rasool; Sulaiman Al-Sulaimi; Rafiqat Ul Rasool; Noor Hassan; Zeeshan Ajmal; Qasim Mahmood; Aslam Khan; Chu Xiao; Wang Jie

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140095

Construction of type-II scheme SnO@HfC photocatalyst for bisphenol A degradation via peroxymonosulfate activation; DFT and self-cleaning analysis

Chemosphere. 2023 Nov:341:140095. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140095. Epub 2023 Sep 6.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China; New Uzbekistan University, Mustaqillik Ave. 54, Tashkent, 100007, Uzbekistan.
² Department of Physics, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang, 321004, China; Zhejiang Institute of Photoelectronics & Zhejiang Institute for Advanced Light Source, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang, 321004, China. Electronic address: ra_chem@yahoo.com.
³ Department of Biological Science and Chemistry, University of Nizwa, Nizwa, 611, Sultanate of Oman.
⁴ Department of Physics, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong.
⁵ College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, Zhejiang, China. Electronic address: raviannoor80@hotmail.com.
⁶ College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, Zhejiang, China.
⁷ Department of Physics, College of Science, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P. O. Box 1982, Dammam, 31441, Saudi Arabia; Basic and Applied Scientifc Research Center, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P. O. Box 1982, Dammam, 31441, Saudi Arabia.
⁸ College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia.
⁹ College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China.
¹⁰ College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China. Electronic address: wang.jie@hhu.edu.cn.

PMID: 37683953
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140095

Abstract

In this study, novel stannous oxide@hafnium carbide (SnO@HfC) nanocomposite was successfully manufactured by an appropriate hydrothermal scheme which was utilized for the photocatalytic degradation of BPA by stimulation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) and self-cleaning application. Numerous methods were applied for the characterization of photocatalyst and demonstrated the successful preparation of SnO@HfC nanocomposite. The crystal structures, band structures and density of states for SnO and HfC were explored by DFT analysis. The amazing PMS stimulation performance of SnO@HfC nanocomposite originated from the establishment of a heterojunction, which led to the enhancement of the light response aptitude and the electron conduction competence of the composite. BPA was degraded by 0.75 g/L PMS and SnO@HfC at neutral pH during the period of 60 min. In order to identify active groups in the reaction procedure, quenching experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) approaches were also used. In the subsequent active species scavenging assays, where sulfate radicals, hydroxyl radicals, holes, and superoxide radicals were engaged in the degradation of BPA. While, liquid phase mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used to pinpoint the intermediate metabolites in the course of degradation. SnO@HfC/PMS/light system delivered excellent TOC removal efficiency and less ions leaching. The SnO@HfC nanocomposite proved good durability and reusability in continuous cycle tests along with excellent self-cleaning function on the glass substrate. The SnO@HfC nanocomposite performs admirably in terms of self-cleaning application. The SnO@HfC nanocomposite is expected to be used in the future for the treatment of wastewater that contains pharmaceuticals due to its superior stability and reusability after five consecutive cycles.

Keywords: Bisphenol A; DFT; Degradation pathway; Peroxymonosulfate; Photocatalytic; Self-cleaning.

MeSH terms

Hafnium*
Peroxides*
Superoxides

Substances

peroxymonosulfate
Hafnium
bisphenol A
Peroxides
Superoxides