Photocatalytic degradation of imidacloprid using GO/Fe3O4/TiO2-NiO under visible radiation: Optimization by response level method

Photocatalytic removals of imidacloprid insecticide in TiO2- and Fe2O3-immobilized porous geopolymer granules

In this study, geopolymer catalysts were synthesized by incorporating different TiO2 (0, 7, and 14 wt%) and Fe2O3 content (0, 7, 14, and 20 wt%) into porous metakaolin-based geopolymer granules. TiO2- and Fe2O3-immobilized geopolymer granules were applied for photocatalytic removals of imidacloprid under UV-C irradiation. The analysis of the surface morphology of the Fe2O3 catalyst revealed its larger surface area predominated with meso- and macro-pores thus providing a larger area for photocatalysis. Meanwhile, the TiO2 catalyst had TiO2 nanoparticles filled up those mesopores and macropores in geopolymer resulting in its denser structure therefore limiting access of imidacloprid to the reactive sites. To maximize its photocatalytic activities, Fe2O3 and TiO2 could be immobilized into porous geopolymer matrix up to 20 and 14 wt%, respectively. The developed porous geopolymer had relatively stable imidacloprid adsorption capacities regardless of the TiO2 and Fe2O3 contents in their texture. After UV irradiation, their removal efficiencies were 94.85-100% and the photocatalytic degradation increased with the increase in TiO2 content (from 0 to 14 wt%) and Fe2O3 content (from 14 to 20 wt%). Nevertheless, Fe2O3-immobilized geopolymer granules posed a significantly higher kinetic rate (1.966 h-1) compared to that of TiO2 (0.154 h-1) at the same catalyst content (14 wt%). The newly developed Fe2O3-immobilized porous geopolymer catalysts could be effectively reused over 10 successive cycles during which the imidacloprid could be completely removed.

Mechanisms in the photocatalytic breakdown of persistent pharmaceutical and pesticide molecules over TiO2-based photocatalysts: A review

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) based photocatalysts have been widely used as a photocatalyst for the degradation of various persistent organic compounds in water and air. The degradation mechanism involves the generation of highly reactive oxygen species, such as hydroxyl radicals, which react with organic compounds to break down their chemical bonds and ultimately mineralize them into harmless products. In the case of pharmaceutical and pesticide molecules, TiO2and modified TiO2photocatalysis effectively degrade a wide range of compounds, including antibiotics, pesticides, and herbicides. The main downside is the production of dangerous intermediate products, which are not frequently addressed in the literature that is currently available. The degradation rate of these compounds by TiO2photocatalysis depends on factors such as the chemical structure of the compounds, the concentration of the TiO2catalyst, the intensity, the light source, and the presence of other organic or inorganic species in the solution. The comprehension of the degradation mechanism is explored to gain insights into the intermediates. Additionally, the utilization of response surface methodology is addressed, offering a potential avenue for enhancing the scalability of the reactors. Overall, TiO2photocatalysis is a promising technology for the treatment of pharmaceutical and agrochemical wastewater, but further research is needed to optimize the process conditions and to understand the fate and toxicity of the degradation products.

Highly Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Imidacloprid Based on Iron Metal-Organic Frameworks of Mesoporous NH2-MIL-88b/Graphite Carbon Nitride Nanocomposites by Visible Light Driven in Aqueous Media

Pesticides that protect crops from insects and other pests are some of the main causes of water pollution. Imidacloprid (IMC) is the most widely used insecticide in the world and should be removed from the environment. This work aims to prepare mesoporous nanocomposites to increase the photodegradation efficiency of IMC. To improve the surface properties and enhance the photocatalytic activity, mesoporous nanocomposites with different weight ratios of graphite carbon nitride (CN = 125, 250, and 500 mg) were prepared by the solvothermal method. Mesoporous NH2-MIL-88b(Fe)/graphite carbon nitride (CN = 250 mg, NH2-MCN-2) nanocomposites showed the best photocatalytic performance. To save the time and cost of the experiments, central composite design (CCD) and response surface methodology (RSM) were used and the results were obtained as the initial concentration of IMC (20 mg L-1), amount of photocatalyst (0.76 g L-1), pH = 5, and degradation time ∼46 min. The maximum photocatalytic degradation efficiency estimated by the model was obtained at 96.31%, which is very close to the actual value of 95.47%. The mesoporous NH2-MCN-2 nanocomposite showed excellent stability and suitable reusability with a maximum degradation of 84.5% after five cycles. Results obtained from kinetic studies indicated a rate constant value of 0.08 min-1, and isotherm models showed that equilibrium data are more consistent with the Langmuir model in photocatalytic degradation. Electrochemical experiments showed significant improvement in the electron transfer rate and photocatalytic activity of the mesoporous NH2-MCN-2 nanocomposite. Different trapping agents were used to investigate the effective active species in IMC photodegradation, and it was determined that the hole (h+) and OH radical (•OH) play the main role. The possible mechanism for IMC photocatalytic degradation was suggested by Mott-Schottky (M-S) electrochemical impedance.

Oxidative treatment of micropollutants present in wastewater: A special emphasis on transformation products, their toxicity, detection, and field-scale investigations

Micropollutants have become ubiquitous in aqueous environments due to the increased use of pharmaceuticals, personal care products, pesticides, and other compounds. In this review, the removal of micropollutants from aqueous matrices using various advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), such as photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, sulfate radical-based AOPs, ozonation, and Fenton-based processes has been comprehensively discussed. Most of the compounds were successfully degraded with an efficiency of more than 90%, resulting in the formation of transformation products (TPs). In this respect, degradation pathways with multiple mechanisms, including decarboxylation, hydroxylation, and halogenation, have been illustrated. Various techniques for the analysis of micropollutants and their TPs have been discussed. Additionally, the ecotoxicity posed by these TPs was determined using the toxicity estimation software tool (T.E.S.T.). Finally, the performance and cost-effectiveness of the AOPs at the pilot scale have been reviewed. The current review will help in understanding the treatment efficacy of different AOPs, degradation pathways, and ecotoxicity of TPs so formed.

Photocatalytic removal of imidacloprid pesticide from wastewater using CdS QDs passivated by CQDs containing thiol groups

Over the past decade, CdS QDs have become versatile semiconductors. Surface modification of CdS QDs has become an interesting case study, as it can eliminate surface defects and improve their photochemical properties. In this study, we report a new strategy of using carbon quantum dots containing a large number of thiol groups (CQDs-SH) as a passivating agent for the stabilization of CdS quantum dots (QDs). Various characterization techniques have clearly revealed that the CdS QDs have been successfully passivated by CQDs-SH. The photocatalytic performance of CQDs-SH/CdS QDs was investigated for the degradation of the insecticide imidacloprid from an aqueous solution. Parameters affecting the photodegradation process, including the light source, photocatalyst amount, initial concentration of the pollutant, radiation time, pH, oxidizing agent, and temperature, were investigated. Furthermore, the HPLC technique was applied to quantitatively analyze imidacloprid and its degradation products. The results of the HPLC analysis revealed that under simulated visible light at pH 9, imidacloprid scarcely existed after 90 min of irradiation (90.13% degradation). The LC-MS method was also used to detect the degradation products and investigate the mechanism of photodegradation of the pesticide. The results showed that the CQDs-SH/CdS QDs composite was a promising photocatalyst for the degradation of imidacloprid in wastewater.

Recent advances of semiconductor photocatalysis for water pollutant treatment: mechanisms, materials and applications

Semiconductor photocatalysis has become an increasing area of interest for use in water treatment methods. This review systematically presents the recent developments of emerging semiconductor photocatalysis system and their application in the removal of water pollutants. A brief overview of the semiconductor photocatalysis mechanism involved with the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is provided first. Then a detailed explanation of the development of TiO2-based, g-C3N4-based, and bismuth-based semiconductor materials and their applications in the degradation of water pollutants are highlighted with recent illustrative examples. Furthermore, the future prospects of semiconductor photocatalysis for water treatment are critically analyzed.

Photocatalytic degradation of imidacloprid using Ag2O/CuO composites

Imidacloprid is one of the most commonly used neonicotinoid pesticides that has been identified as a neurotoxin for various non-target organisms. It binds to the central nervous system of organisms, causing paralysis and eventually death. Thus, it is imperative to treat waterwaters contaminated with imidacloprid using an efficient and cost effective method. The present study presents Ag₂O/CuO composites as excellent catalysts for the photocatalytic degradation of imidacloprid. The Ag₂O/CuO composites were prepared in different compositions by adopting the co-precipitation method and used as a catalyst for the degradation of imidacloprid. The degradation process was monitored using UV-vis spectroscopy. The composition, structure, and morphologies of the composites were determined by FT-IR, XRD, TGA, and SEM analyses. The effect of different parameters i.e time, concentration of pesticide, concentration of catalyst, pH, and temperature on the degradation was studied under UV irradiation and dark conditions. The results of the study evidenced the 92.3% degradation of imidacloprid in only 180 minutes, which was 19.25 hours under natural conditions. The degradation followed first-order kinetics, with the half life of the pesticide being 3.7 hours. Thus, the Ag₂O/CuO composite was an excellent cost-effective catalyst. The non-toxic nature of the material adds further benefits to its use. The stability of the catalyst and its reusability for consecutive cycles make it more cost effective. The use of this material may help to ensure an immidacloprid free environment with minimal use of resources. Moreover, the potential of this material to degrade other environmental pollutants may also be explored.

Heterogeneous photocatalytic oxidation for the removal of organophosphorus pollutants from aqueous solutions: A review

Organophosphorus pollutants (OPs), which are compounds containing carbon‑phosphorus bonds or phosphate derivatives containing organic groups, have received much attention from researchers because of their persistence in the aqueous environment for long periods of time and the threat they pose to human health. Heterogeneous photocatalysis has been widely applied to the removal of OPs from aqueous solutions due to its better removal effect and environmental friendliness. In this review, the removal of OPs from aqueous matrices by heterogeneous photocatalysis was presented. Herein, the application and the heterogeneous photocatalysis mechanism of OPs were described in detail, and the effects of catalyst types on degradation effect are discussed categorically. In particular, the heterojunction type photocatalyst has the most excellent effect. After that, the photocatalytic degradation pathways of several OPs were summarized, focusing on the organophosphorus pesticides and organophosphorus flame retardants, such as methyl parathion, dichlorvos, dimethoate and chlorpyrifos. The toxicity changes during degradation were evaluated, indicating that the photocatalytic process could effectively reduce the toxicity of OPs. Additionally, the effects of common water matrices on heterogeneous photocatalytic degradation of OPs were also presented. Finally, the challenges and perspectives of heterogeneous photocatalysis removal of OPs are summarized and presented.

Adsorption and Photocatalytic Degradation of Pesticides into Nanocomposites: A Review

The extensive use of pesticides in agriculture has significantly impacted the environment and human health, as these pollutants are inadequately disposed of into water bodies. In addition, pesticides can cause adverse effects on humans and aquatic animals due to their incomplete removal from the aqueous medium by conventional wastewater treatments. Therefore, processes such as heterogeneous photocatalysis and adsorption by nanocomposites have received special attention in the scientific community due to their unique properties and ability to degrade and remove several organic pollutants, including pesticides. This report reviews the use of nanocomposites in pesticide adsorption and photocatalytic degradation from aqueous solutions. A bibliographic search was performed using the ScienceDirect, American Chemical Society (ACS), and Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) indexes, using Boolean logic and the following descriptors: "pesticide degradation" AND "photocatalysis" AND "nanocomposites"; "nanocomposites" AND "pesticides" AND "adsorption". The search was limited to research article documents in the last ten years (from January 2012 to June 2022). The results made it possible to verify that the most dangerous pesticides are not the most commonly degraded/removed from wastewater. At the same time, the potential of the supported nanocatalysts and nanoadsorbents in the decontamination of wastewater-containing pesticides is confirmed once they present reduced bandgap energy, which occurs over a wide range of wavelengths. Moreover, due to the great affinity of the supported nanocatalysts with pesticides, better charge separation, high removal, and degradation values are reported for these organic compounds. Thus, the class of the nanocomposites investigated in this work, magnetic or not, can be characterized as suitable nanomaterials with potential and unique properties useful in heterogeneous photocatalysts and the adsorption of pesticides.

Challenges and effectiveness of nanotechnology-based photocatalysis for pesticides-contaminated water: A review

Pesticides have been frequently used in agricultural fields. Due to the expeditious utilization of pesticides, their excessive usage has negative impacts on the natural environment and human health. This review discusses the successful implications of nanotechnology-based photocatalysis for the removal of environmental pesticide contaminants. Notably, various nanomaterials, including TiO₂, ZnO, Fe₂O₃, nanoscale zero-valent iron, nanocomposite-based materials, have been proposed and have played a progressively essential role in wastewater treatment. In addition, a detailed review of the crucial reaction condition factors, including water matrix, pH, light source, temperature, flow rate (retention time), initial concentration of pesticides, a dosage of photocatalyst, and radical scavengers, is also highlighted. Additionally, the degradation pathway of pesticide mineralization is also elucidated. Finally, the challenges of technologies and the future of nanotechnology-based photocatalysis toward the photo-degradation of pesticides are thoroughly discussed. It is expected that those innovative extraordinary photocatalysts will significantly enhance the performance of pesticides degradation in the coming years.

Biodegradation of imidacloprid: Molecular and kinetic analysis

Imidacloprid (C₉H₁₀ClN₅O₂) is the most widely used insecticide. Its persistence and toxic nature have caused a detrimental effect on living biota. Thus its removal from the contaminated environment has become imperative. The present study aimed to isolate bacterial species from pesticide-contaminated sites and assess their potential for biodegradation of imidacloprid. The 16S rRNA analysis revealed the genetic relatedness of isolates to Sphingobacterium sp., Agrobacterium sp., Pseudomonas sp., and Bacillus sp. Batch biodegradation studies showed that Sphingobacterium sp. and Agrobacterium sp. were the most promising isolates as they degraded 81.0% and 84.9%, respectively, of imidacloprid at the concentration of 95 mg/L via co-metabolism. Kinetic study (V_max/K_s ratio) also suggested the high degradation efficiency of these isolates. Imidacloprid-guanidine (C₉H₁₁ClN₄) was identified as the metabolite. This report highlights the potential of bacteria for imidacloprid degradation and could be utilized for the formulation of strategies for the remediation of imidacloprid contaminated environments.

Identification of Active Species in Photodegradation of Aqueous Imidacloprid over g-C3N4/TiO2 Nanocomposites

In this work, g-C3N4/TiO2 composites were fabricated through a hydrothermal method for the efficient photocatalytic degradation of imidacloprid (IMI) pesticide. The composites were fabricated at varying loading of sonochemically exfoliated g-C3N4 (denoted as CNS). Complementary characterization results indicate that the heterojunction between the CNS and TiO2 formed. Among the composites, the 0.5CNS/TiO2 material gave the highest photocatalytic activity (93% IMI removal efficiency) under UV-Vis light irradiation, which was 2.2 times over the pristine g-C3N4. The high photocatalytic activity of the g-C3N4/TiO2 composites could be ascribed to the band gap energy reduction and suppression of photo-induced charge carrier recombination on both TiO2 and CNS surfaces. In addition, it was found that the active species involved in the photodegradation process are OH• and holes, and a possible mechanism was proposed. The g-C3N4/TiO2 photocatalysts exhibited stable photocatalytic performance after regeneration, which shows that g-C3N4/TiO2 is a promising material for the photodegradation of imidacloprid pesticide in wastewater.

Eliminating pesticide quinalphos from surface waters using synthesized GO-ZnO nanoflowers: Characterization, degradation pathways and kinetic study

The presence of highly toxic and persistent pesticides in water bodies causes serious problems to human beings as well as aquatic life. Quinalphos is one such widely used organophosphorus pesticide in agricultural fields. Herein, for degradation and mineralization of quinalphos, ZnO nanoflowers and their hybrid nanocomposite with graphene oxide have been synthesized. FESEM analysis confirmed the formation of ZnO nanoflowers over nanosheets of graphene oxide having a thickness of 20 ± 10 nm. GO-ZnO composite exhibited remarkable photocatalytic activity in comparison to pure ZnO. 98 % degradation of quinalphos was achieved using GO-ZnO nano-catalyst at 6 pH within 45 min of irradiations, whereas it was 80 % for bare ZnO nanoflowers. Higher degradation with hybrid nanocomposite was attributed to improved surface area (36 m² g^-1), a substantial reduction in bandgap energy from 3.10 to 2.90 eV and enhanced charge separation (e^-/h⁺ pairs) after the addition of GO. Reaction kinetics study followed pseudo-first-order behaviour. Further, mineralization to the extent of 90 % in 90 min was confirmed by TOC analysis. Based on identified intermediates, using LCMS analysis, degradation pathways were proposed. The plausible pathways confirmed the presence of smaller and safer reaction intermediates supported by excitation of e^- from nanocomposite followed by oxidation of quinalphos with huge free radicals. Overall, this study is significant in terms of using photocatalysis as a tertiary treatment of quinalphos pesticide wastewater at pH 6 in a short duration.

Recent advances in structural modifications of photo-catalysts for organic pollutants degradation - A comprehensive review

Over the last few years, industrial and anthropogenic activities have increased the presence of organic pollutants such as dyes, herbicides, pesticides, analgesics, and antibiotics in the water that adversely affect human health and the environment worldwide. Photocatalytic treatment is considered a promising, economical, effective, and sustainable process that utilizes light energy to degrade the pollutants in water. However, certain drawbacks like rapid recombination and low migration capability of photogenerated electrons and holes have restricted the use of photo-catalysts in industries. Hence, despite the abundance of lab-scale research, the technology is still not much commercialized in the mainstream. Several structural modifications in the photo-catalysts have been adopted to enhance the pollutant degradation performance to overcome the same. In this context, the present review article outlines the different advanced heterostructures synthesized to date for improved degradation of three major organic pollutants: antibiotics, dyes, and pesticides. Moreover, the article also emphasizes the degradation kinetics of photo-catalysts and the publication trend in the past decade along with the roadblocks preventing the transfer of technology from the laboratory to industry and new age photo-catalysts for the profitable implications in industrial sectors.

Photo-biodegradation of imidacloprid under blue light-emitting diodes with bacteria and co-metabolic regulation

Imidacloprid (IMI) is existence in the soil environment with a half-life habitually more than hundred days. This study targets to determine, identify and characterize photo-biodegradation bacteria from neonicotinoids (NEOs) contaminated agricultural field soils. The sub-surface soil had a higher level contamination of NEOs, in specifically greater concentration of IMI (3445.2 ± 0.09 μg/g) and thiacloprid (4084.4 ± 0.09 μg/g) has been found. Three bacteria Ralstonia pickettii (PBMS-2), Bacillus cereus (PBMS-3) and Shinella zoogloeoides (PBMS-4) was identified from soil-free stable enrichment cultures. The biodegradability of IMI (50 mg L^-1) by three bacteria under different colors of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with a constant 12 V power supply was tested and found that the blue-LEDs had greatest efficiency in supporting biodegradation of IMI which is called photo-biodegradation. In specific, the rate of photo-biodegradation of IMI by Ralstonia pickettii (87%), Bacillus cereus (80%) and Shinella zoogloeoides (80%) was measured. Besides this study also tested the effect of aeration (rpm), pH, and temperature on photo-biodegradation of IMI. There were seven intermediate metabolites were measured as biodegradation products of IMI under photo-biodegradation conditions and they are; IMI-urea, IMI-desnitro, 6-chloronicotinic acid, 6-hydroxy nicotinic acid, IMI- aminoguanidine, IMI-nitrosoguanidine and 4,5-hydroxy IMI, these metabolites are may non-toxic to the environment.

Degradation and mineralization of the emerging pharmaceutical pollutant sildenafil by ozone and UV radiation using response surface methodology

Pharmaceuticals and their degradation products which are present in wastewater and superficial waters are becoming an ecological issue. This research investigated the degradation and mineralization of synthetic solutions of the pharmaceutical compound sildenafil citrate (SC) by single ozonation and ozonation jointed with UV radiation (O₃/UV). The effects of initial drug concentration (50-125 mg L^-1), inlet ozone concentration (35-125 g Nm^-3), and UV radiation on SC degradation and decrease of total organic carbon (TOC) were investigated using response surface methodology based on a central composite experimental design. Through the RSM analysis, it was possible to confirm the removal of SC for the entire experimental range. Major intermediates of SC degradation were identified and a degradation pathway was proposed. The kinetics of SC degradation was modeled as a pseudo-first-order reaction with a rate constant ranging between 0.072 and 1.250 min^-1. The SC degradation and TOC removal were strongly enhanced by increasing the concentration of gaseous ozone at the inlet and incorporating UV radiation. The highest TOC removal reached at 60 min was 75%, in the O₃/UV system, with initial SC content of 50 mg L^-1 and inlet ozone concentration of 125 g Nm^-3. The degradation rate of SC was increased 3 to 9 times in the presence of UV radiation. Ozone-based advanced oxidation processes appear as a suitable alternative for treatment of the emerging pollutant SC.

Recent Developments of TiO2-Based Photocatalysis in the Hydrogen Evolution and Photodegradation: A Review

The growth of industrialization, which is forced to use non-renewable energy sources, leads to an increase in environmental pollution. Therefore, it is necessary not only to reduce the use of fossil fuels to meet energy needs but also to replace it with cleaner fuels. Production of hydrogen by splitting water is considered one of the most promising ways to use solar energy. TiO₂ is an amphoteric oxide that occurs naturally in several modifications. This review summarizes recent advances of doped TiO₂-based photocatalysts used in hydrogen production and the degradation of organic pollutants in water. An intense scientific and practical interest in these processes is aroused by the fact that they aim to solve global problems of energy conservation and ecology.

Insights into the Toxicity and Degradation Mechanisms of Imidacloprid Via Physicochemical and Microbial Approaches

Imidacloprid is a neonicotinoid insecticide that has been widely used to control insect pests in agricultural fields for decades. It shows insecticidal activity mainly by blocking the normal conduction of the central nervous system in insects. However, in recent years, imidacloprid has been reported to be an emerging contaminant in all parts of the world, and has different toxic effects on a variety of non-target organisms, including human beings, due to its large-scale use. Hence, the removal of imidacloprid from the ecosystem has received widespread attention. Different remediation approaches have been studied to eliminate imidacloprid residues from the environment, such as oxidation, hydrolysis, adsorption, ultrasound, illumination, and biodegradation. In nature, microbial degradation is one of the most important processes controlling the fate of and transformation from imidacloprid use, and from an environmental point of view, it is the most promising means, as it is the most effective, least hazardous, and most environmentally friendly. To date, several imidacloprid-degrading microbes, including Bacillus, Pseudoxanthomonas, Mycobacterium, Rhizobium, Rhodococcus, and Stenotrophomonas, have been characterized for biodegradation. In addition, previous studies have found that many insects and microorganisms have developed resistance genes to and degradation enzymes of imidacloprid. Furthermore, the metabolites and degradation pathways of imidacloprid have been reported. However, reviews of the toxicity and degradation mechanisms of imidacloprid are rare. In this review, the toxicity and degradation mechanisms of imidacloprid are summarized in order to provide a theoretical and practical basis for the remediation of imidacloprid-contaminated environments.

Synthesis of Fe3O4/CdS-ZnS nanostructure and its application for photocatalytic degradation of chlorpyrifos pesticide and brilliant green dye from aqueous solutions

Chlorpyrifos (CP) is an organophosphorus pesticide used to control pests in agriculture. Brilliant green (BG) is a cationic dye widely used in textile and dyeing industry. However, the presence of pollutants in the aquatic environment has harmful effects on the environment and humans. Photocatalytic degradation can be appropriate method for water purification. Therefore, the Fe₃O₄/CdS-ZnS magnetic nanocomposite was synthesized and characterized by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis, Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), UV-Vis-diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analyses and was used to degrade pollutants such as chlorpyrifos pesticide and brilliant green dye under visible light with source 300 W. Parameters that may be effective on photocatalytic degradation include pH, photocatalyst amount, contaminant concentration, photocatalyst and contaminant contact temperature and duration, light intensity as well as distance of light source from the reaction vessel. In the present study, the parameters that have the most influence on the degradation process were experimentally optimized, including pH, photocatalyst amount, photocatalyst reuse, and initial concentration. The study of the photocatalytic degradation rate of chlorpyrifos and brilliant green in optimal conditions (pH = 7, the concentration of pollutants = 10 ppm, volume of pollutants = 5 mL, and photocatalyst amounts for CP and BG were 0.0100 and 0.0015 g respectively) was obtained by Langmuir-Hinshelwood model. According to this model, the k_app value for CP and BG were respectively 0.0315 and 0.0119 min^-1 respectively. It has been concluded that the composition of CdS and ZnS caused inhibition of the recombination of photogenerated charge carriers, leading to high catalytic efficiency. Based on the results, the synthesized nanocatalyst showed that it has the ability to photocatalytic degradation of chlorpyrifos and brilliant green in aqueous solutions.

Constructing S-doped Ni–Co LDH intercalated with Fe3O4 heterostructure photocatalysts for enhanced pesticide degradation

A S-doped Ni–Co LDH/Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite was synthesised and its photocatalytic activity was tested for the degradation of CP.