Mohanty UA, Sahoo DP, Das KK, Paramanik L, Parida K. Facilitated Visible-Light-Driven Peroxymonosulfate Activation by a Co-Fe Layered Double Hydroxide Derived p-n Heterostructure for Sulfadiazine Degradation: Affecting Parameters, Kinetics, and Mechanistic Insights.
Inorg Chem 2024;
63:1919-1937. [PMID:
38207280 DOI:
10.1021/acs.inorgchem.3c03582]
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Abstract
The utilization of multivalence ionic metal species generated through a peroxymonosulfate (PMS)-assisted photocatalytic system is a promising platform for the selective degradation of water contaminants. However, achieving an effective electron transport and enhanced separation efficiency for these metal species is a daunting challenge. Thus, our current study addresses this challenge by using a Co-Fe-based layered-double-hydroxide template to synthesize a Co3O4/FeCo2O4 p-n heterojunction composite via a simple monosynthetic route. The resultant composite is thoroughly validated through advanced characterization techniques that efficiently activate PMS for sulfadiazine (SDZ) degradation under visible light, achieving a remarkable degradation efficiency of up to 90%. This accomplishment is attributed to factors including intimate interfacial contact, excellent light harvesting, mesoporosity, and oxygen vacancies within the composite. The formation of a distinct p-n heterojunction following the S-scheme charge dynamic significantly enhances photogenerated carrier separation and reduces charge recombination. The research delves into comprehensive investigations including degradation studies, active species trapping experiments, parameter exploration, and in-depth liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry for analysis of the degradation byproducts and pathway. Induced oxygen vacancies, strategically placed active surface sites, and mesoporosity in the Co3O4/FeCo2O4 composite synergistically boosted the sluggish PMS activation, leading to enhanced SDZ degradation. This study introduces a new perspective by demonstrating the potential of a single-material, mixed-metal oxide-based p-n heterojunction photocatalytic system following the S-scheme charge-transfer route for SDZ degradation. The findings contribute toward emphasizing the importance of tailored composite materials in tackling persistent contaminants.
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