A novel CeO2–TiO2/PANI/NiFe2O4 magnetic photocatalyst: Preparation, characterization and photodegradation of tetracycline hydrochloride under visible light

Photoelectrochemical advanced oxidation processes for simultaneous removal of antibiotics and heavy metal ions in wastewater using 2D-on-2D WS2@CoFe2O4 heteronanostructures

The presence of antibiotics in water poses significant threats to both human health and the environment. Addressing this issue requires the effective treatment of medical wastewater. Photoelectrochemical advanced oxidation processes (PEAOPs) are emerging as promising solutions for wastewater treatment. This process utilizes photocatalysts to convert charge carriers into reactive species such as hydroxyl radicals and superoxide ions, which are essential for degrading pollutants in wastewater. However, limitations in charge carrier separation and transport have hindered the efficiency of photoelectrochemical advanced oxidation processes. To overcome these limitations, we designed WS2@CoFe2O4 heterojunctions, optimizing their energy levels to enhance charge transport and separation. This improvement significantly increased the oxidation of antibiotics such as amoxicillin and azithromycin. Multiple reactions occurred at the WS2@CoFe2O4 heterojunctions during photoelectrochemical advanced oxidation processes, leading to the impressive degradation of up to 99% of antibiotics under visible light irradiation at 0.8 V. Urea and H2O2 acted as oxidation agents within photoelectrochemical advanced oxidation processes, amplifying the generation of hydroxyl radicals and superoxide ions, further enhancing antibiotic oxidation. Moreover, the WS2@CoFe2O4 photoanode efficiently oxidized toxic antibiotics while converting As(III) into the less harmful As(V). Crucially, recyclability tests confirmed the robustness of the WS2@CoFe2O4 photoanode, ensuring its suitability for prolonged use in photoelectrochemical advanced oxidation processes. Integrating WS2@CoFe2O4 photoanodes into water purification systems can enhance efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and improve economic viability. This technology's scalability and its ability to protect ecosystems while conserving water resources make it a promising solution for addressing the critical issue of antibiotic pollution in water environments.

Polyaniline/g-C3N4/Bi2O3/Ti photoanode for visible light responsive photocatalytic fuel cell degradation of rhodamine B and electricity generation

In order to develop efficient photoanode to improve the performance of visible light responsive photocatalytic fuel cell (PFC), in this work, polyaniline/g-C₃N₄/Bi₂O₃/Ti photoanode was successfully prepared using silica-sol drop coating method, and assembled with Cu cathode to construct PFC to decompose rhodamine B and generate electricity simultaneously. The degradation rate, maximum photocurrent density and maximum power density of this PFC were 91.23%, 0.086 mA cm^-2 and 4.78 μW cm^-2, respectively, which were 1.4 and 1.8 times, 2.4 and 4.5 times, and 1.9 and 7.3 times those of the corresponding values of the PFCs with g-C₃N₄/Bi₂O₃/Ti and Bi₂O₃/Ti photoanodes, respectively. This is attributed to the type II heterojunction structure formed among polyaniline, g-C₃N₄ and Bi₂O₃ in the polyaniline/g-C₃N₄/Bi₂O₃/Ti photoanode. Among them, polyaniline has π-π conjugated structure, which can rapidly transfer the electronic charge between g-C₃N₄ and Bi₂O₃, thus enhancing the separation efficiency of photo-generated e^--h⁺ pairs spatially and reducing their recombination, extending the visible light response wavelength of the photocatalyst, and finally improving its photocatalytic properties. This study can provide significant reference for the research of Bi₂O₃-based visible light responsive PFC.

Preparation and Boron Removal Performance of Glycidol Modified PANI Nanorods: An Optimization Study Based on Response Surface Methodology

Boron removal from aqueous solutions has attracted increasing attention, offering benefits for animal and plant health as well as profound significance for exploiting Salt Lake boron resources. In this work, we synthesized novel glycidol-functionalized and hydrophilic polyaniline (PANI) nanorod adsorbents, which were prepared to separate boron compounds from boric acid aqueous solutions. The as-prepared adsorbents were significantly different from the traditional polymers' grafting reaction because they had a higher functional yield and more active position for adsorption. The maximum adsorption capacity (0.2210 mmoL∙g^-1) and optimal adsorption conditions (boric acid concentration of 1307 mg/L, pH = 9.82, time of 10 h) were obtained with single-factor experimentation and the response surface method (RSM). In addition, adsorption kinetics studies showed that the adsorption reaction belonged to the pseudo-first-order kinetic model, and diffusion was the key limiting factor; therefore, the adsorption equilibrium time is more than 10 h. Finally, the related possible adsorption mechanism was investigated based on the species and the diffusion of boron in the aqueous phase.

Role of polyaniline in accomplishing a sustainable environment: recent trends in polyaniline for eradicating hazardous pollutants

Attaining a sustainable environment has become a prime area of research interest, as it is an utmost necessity for a healthy life. Hence, ample studies have been carried out in adopting different processes and utilizing various materials to attain the goal. Herein, we present an exclusive discussion on one such material, i.e., polyaniline (PANI) and its derivatives. Being an intrinsic conducting type, it has grabbed more attention due to its durability in different doped/un-doped states, promptness in structural alteration, and solution processability. This review presents an exhaustive discussion on published reports showing utilization of PANI and its derivative in various forms like pure and composites, for cleaning the environment through adsorption, photodegradation, etc., and the various methods adopted in order to achieve an optimum operating condition to obtain the maximum outcome. In addition to these merits and demerits, various technical challenges faced with materials have been also presented. Therefore, it is expected that this piece of work, presenting the exhaustive discussion on PANI and; its derivatives would help to develop a better understanding of this excellent conducting polymer PANI and provide a state of art on the role of this material for attaining sustainable surroundings for the living beings.

Photothermal Catalytic Degradation of Lomefloxacin with Nano Au/TiO2

With the fast development of intensive poultry and aquaculture, the consumption of antibiotics has ever been increasing. Absorbed or metabolized antibiotics usually enter the water environment in the form of active drugs and metabolites, which can enhance the resistance of pathogenic microorganisms and even cause serious water pollution. Considering the bacteriostatic activity of antibiotics, the main biological method used to treat organic waste water has limited efficiency. Herein, we prepared Au/TiO2 for the efficient photocatalytic degradation of lomefloxacin (LOM) antibiotic wastewater. Based on the characteristics of prepared Au/TiO2, the short–wavelength light can be converted into photogenerated carriers with TiO2 support and the long–wavelength light can be converted into heat, likely due to the localized surface plasmon resonance effect of Au, synergistically promoting the LOM degradation. This study not only demonstrates that Au/TiO2 is an efficient photocatalyst for LOM degradation, but also further indicates the effectiveness of photocatalytic technology in the treatment of antibiotic wastewater.

Preparation of C/Ho co-doped TiO2 for enhancing the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of tetracycline hydrochloride

A new C/Ho co-doped TiO2 catalyst was synthesized with Ti3C2Tx MXene and the photocatalytic performance was found to be significantly enhanced.