Improving photocatalytic activity under visible light over a novel food wastes biochar-based BiOBr nanocomposite

Xiaoqian Zhang; Yixiao Wu; Abdulmoseen Segun Giwa; Juxia Xiong; Shaobin Huang; Lishan Niu

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134152

Improving photocatalytic activity under visible light over a novel food wastes biochar-based BiOBr nanocomposite

Chemosphere. 2022 Jun:297:134152. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134152. Epub 2022 Mar 1.

Authors

Xiaoqian Zhang¹, Yixiao Wu², Abdulmoseen Segun Giwa³, Juxia Xiong², Shaobin Huang⁴, Lishan Niu²

Affiliations

¹ School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China; The Key Lab of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China.
² School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China.
³ Green Intelligence Environmental School, Yangtze Normal University, Chongqing, PR China.
⁴ School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China. Electronic address: chshuang@scut.edu.cn.

PMID: 35245591
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134152

Abstract

Biochar (C) applied in synthesizing photocatalysts to eliminate water pollution has been intensively investigated. Herein we report the first use of biochar pyrolyzed from food wastes at 400 ^°C (400C) and 700 ^°C to construct C/BiOBr composites via a facile hydrolysis approach. Photocatalytic performances could be significantly improved by choosing the appropriate carbonization temperature and adjusting the content of C in C/BiOBr composites. The prepared 1%400C/BiOBr exhibited the best photodegradation capacity towards methylene orange (20 mg/L) and tetracycline (50 mg/L). A series of characterization results illustrated that smooth structure and surface properties (oxygen functional groups and persistent free radicals) of 400C played an important role in enhancing the photocatalytic activities. Mechanism exploration suggested that h⁺ and ˙O₂^- were the main active species thus contributing to photodegradation. This study provided a new insight into utilization of biochar derived from food wastes in photocatalysis and environmental remediation.

Keywords: Carbonaceous material; Oxygen functional groups; Persistent free radicals; Photodegradation.

MeSH terms

Bismuth
Catalysis
Charcoal
Food
Light
Nanocomposites* / chemistry
Refuse Disposal*

Substances

biochar
Charcoal
bismuth oxybromide
Bismuth