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

Synthesis and Characterization of Composite WO3 Fibers/g-C3N4 Photocatalysts for the Removal of the Insecticide Clothianidin in Aquatic Media

Photocatalysis is a prominent alternative wastewater treatment technique that has the potential to completely degrade pesticides as well as other persistent organic pollutants, leading to detoxification of wastewater and thus paving the way for its efficient reuse. In addition to the more conventional photocatalysts (e.g., TiO2, ZnO, etc.) that utilize only UV light for activation, the interest of the scientific community has recently focused on the development and application of visible light-activated photocatalysts like g-C3N4. However, some disadvantages of g-C3N4, such as the high recombination rate of photogenerated charges, limit its utility. In this light, the present study focuses on the synthesis of WO3 fibers/g-C3N4 Z-scheme heterojunctions to improve the efficiency of g-C3N4 towards the photocatalytic removal of the widely used insecticide clothianidin. The effect of two different g-C3N4 precursors (urea and thiourea) and of WO3 fiber content on the properties of the synthesized composite materials was also investigated. All aforementioned materials were characterized by a number of techniques (XRD, SEM-EDS, ATR-FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, DRS, etc.). According to the results, mixing 6.5% W/W WO3 fibers with either urea or thiourea derived g-C3N4 significantly increased the photocatalytic activity of the resulting composites compared to the precursor materials. In order to further elucidate the effect of the most efficient composite photocatalyst in the degradation of clothianidin, the generated transformation products were tentatively identified through UHPLC tandem high-resolution mass spectroscopy. Finally, the detoxification effect of the most efficient process was also assessed by combining the results of an in-vitro methodology and the predictions of two in-silico tools.

Decoration of Carbon Dots on Oxygen-Vacancy-Enriched S-Scheme TiO2 Quantum Dots/TiO2 Oxygen Vacancies Photocatalysts: Impressive Quantum-Dot-Sized Photocatalysts for Remediation of Antibiotics, Bacteria, and Dyes

Today, cleaning the environment using photocatalytic technology is one of the main research activities. In this study, carbon dots (C-dots) were anchored on oxygen-vacancy-enriched TiO2 quantum dots (QDs)/TiO2 oxygen vacancies (OVs) using a facile procedure. The resultant ternary TiO2 QDs/TiO2 OVs/C-dots photocatalysts with a quantum dot size of almost 4.55 nm were used for detoxification of aqueous solutions containing four antibiotics and three organic dyes as well as inactivation of two pathogenic bacteria, including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, upon visible light. The degradation constant of tetracycline over the optimized TiO2 QDs/TiO2 OVs/C-dots nanocomposite reached 714 × 10-4 min-1, which was 17.3, 12.1, and 2.92 times higher than TiO2 QDs, TiO2 OVs, and TQDs/TOVs (1:1) materials, respectively. Effective separation of electron-hole pairs between TiO2 QDs and TiO2 OVs counterparts through decorated C-dots by an established S-scheme system was the main reason for boosted photocatalytic activity. With regard to the facile growth of wheat and lentil seeds in the treated solutions, it is hoped that the TiO2 QDs/TiO2 OVs/C-dots nanocomposite with significant stability could be used to clean up wastewaters.

Study on diazinon toxicity reduction by electro-Fenton process: A bioassay using daphnia magna

The realm of diazinon reduction from polluted water has witnessed a surge in the significance of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) in recent times. However, there is a dearth of research focusing on the mitigation of its toxicity through AOPs. Thus, the primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Electro-Fenton process (EFP) in the eradication and detoxification of diazinon in aqueous solutions. Synthetic wastewater samples with concentrations of 2, 2.5 and 3 mg/L were prepared. A total of 27 samples were determined using Box Behnken Design. Reaction time, pH and iron to hydrogen peroxide ratio (Fe2+/H2O2) were examined as operational parameters under a constant current of 5.4 amps. The quantification of diazinon concentration was performed using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). To evaluate the detoxification of diazinon, the Daphnia magna bioassay was employed as a methodology in this study. According to the results, the EFP could reduce the diazinon to zero and the LC50 values are increased by applying the process. The LC50 values for diazinon were determined using the Daphnia magna bioassay, considering initial concentrations of 2, 2.5, and 3 mg/L at a pH of 5, a reaction time of 15 min, and an iron to hydrogen peroxide molar ratio of 2. The recorded LC50 values were 3.039, 3.076, and 3.106, respectively, indicating the lowest frequency of cumulative death in Daphnia magna. In this case, after 96 h, only 3 cases (30%) of Daphnia magna death were observed. However, for all the mentioned concentrations of diazinon, after 96 h of exposure to samples without applying the Daphnia Magna death process, it was observed between 60 and 100%. Reducing the diazinon concentration and increasing the 96-h LC50 showed that the EFP can reduce the toxicity of diazinon on Daphnia Magna at the same time. Therefore, EFP can be considered a superior method with low ecotoxicity.

Critical review on organophosphate esters in water environment: Occurrence, health hazards and removal technologies

Organophosphate esters (OPEs), which are phosphoric acid ester derivatives, are anthropogenic substances that are widely used in commerce. Nevertheless, there is growing public concern about these ubiquitous contaminants, which are frequently detected in contaminated water sources. OPEs are mostly emitted by industrial operations, and the primary routes of human exposure to OPEs include food intake and dermal absorption. Because of their negative effects on both human health and the environment, it is clear that innovative methods are needed to facilitate their eradication. In this study, we present a comprehensive overview of the existing characteristics and origins of OPEs, their possible impacts on human health, and the merits, drawbacks, and future possibilities of contemporary sophisticated remediation methods. Current advanced remediation approaches for OPEs include adsorption, degradation (advanced oxidation, advanced reduction, and redox technology), membrane filtration, and municipal wastewater treatment plants, degradation and adsorption are the most promising removal technologies. Meanwhile, we proposed potential areas for future research (appropriate management approaches, exploring the combination treatment process, economic factors, and potential for secondary pollution). Collectively, this work gives a comprehensive understanding of OPEs, providing useful insights for future research on OPEs pollution.

Preparation of black phosphorus nanosheets/ zeolitic imidazolate framework nanocomposite for high-performance solid-phase microextraction of organophosphorus pesticides

Design and preparation of new fiber coatings for solid-phase microextraction (SPME) is of significance to the sample preparation techniques. Herein, a facile strategy has been developed for the integration of the black phosphorus (BP) nanosheets with metal-organic framework (ZIF-8) to generate a BP/ZIF-8 nanocomposite. For the first time, the newly-synthesized BP/ZIF-8 nanocomposite was adopted as the SPME fiber coating for the extraction of organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs). Under the optimized conditions, the BP/ZIF-8 based SPME method gained acceptable linearity (0.04-20 µg L-1), low limits of detection (0.012-0.051 µg L-1) and good repeatability (3.2-8.1%). Coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometric detection, the developed SPME method was successfully used for the preconcentration of OPPs from environmental waters with the method recoveries from 92.0%-103.8%. This method offers a good alternative for the analysis of trace OPPs in environmental water samples.

Adsorption and photocatalytic-conjugated activity of a chitosan-functionalized titanate coating for the removal of the drug clonazepam from drinking water

This research evaluated H2TiO7 nanotubes (TiNTs) functionalized with 1 (1TiCN), 5 (2TiCN), and 10 (3TiCN) wt.% of chitosan for the removal of clonazepam by an adsorption/photocatalysis-conjugated method. The samples were immobilized on glass, and their mechanical stability was tested by washings. The functionalization of the samples was verified by the FTIR and DRS techniques. SEM images displayed nanotubes in the samples and thickness of 4.24 μm for the 2TiCN coating. The chemical composition of the 2TiCN coating was obtained by EDS. The XRD patterns evidenced chitosan and titanate phases in the functionalized samples. Furthermore, the 2TiCN coating was evaluated in the removal of clonazepam, reaching 80.79% (4.38 and 49.64% more than the TiNT and commercial TiO2 powders, respectively) after 240 min and being 6.88% more efficient after 4 reuses than the 2TiCN powders. OH- ions were the main oxidizing species found by scavenger tests. The surface area of 2TiCN (168.6 m2/g) was 2 times higher than that of TiNTs, and its bandgap (2.95 eV) was the lowest. Therefore, the 2TiCN coating is an excellent alternative to remove clonazepam.

Improvement of the photocatalytic activity of ZnO thin films doped with manganese

In the herein report, we synthesized ZnO thin films doped with manganese (Mn). We studied the impact of Mn doping loads (1 %, 3 %, 5 % wt.) on physicochemical properties of the compounds. Furthermore, we presented the photocatalytic efficiency in removal of methylene blue dye. The structural assay indicated ZnO conserve the wurtzite crystalline structure after dopant insertion. Furthermore, the crystalline size of catalysts was reduced after dopant incorporation. The SEM analysis showed a change in surface morphology after modification of ZnO thin films. Furthermore, Raman spectroscopy verified the Mn insertion inside the ZnO lattice. After the doping process, band gap was reduced by 16 %, in comparison to bare ZnO. After the photocatalytic test, the doped catalysts showed better performance than bare ZnO in removing MB. The best test showed a kinetics constant value of 2.9 × 10-3 min-1 after 120 min of visible irradiation. Finally, the Mn(5 %):ZnO thin film was suitable after five degradation cycles, and the degradation process efficiency was reduced by 32%.

Simplifying the complexity: Single enzyme (choline oxidase) inhibition-based biosensor with dual-readout method for organophosphorus pesticide detection

Organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) are widely used in agricultural production, but their residues could cause pollution to the environment and living organisms. In this paper, a simple dual-readout method for OPs detection was proposed based on ChOx single enzyme inhibition. Firstly, ChOx can catalyze the production of H₂O₂ from choline chloride (Ch-Cl). Bifunctional iron-doped carbon dots (Fe-CDs) with good peroxidase-like activity and superior fluorescence properties can catalyze the oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) to blue oxidized TMB (oxTMB) by H₂O₂ formed, and oxTMB could quench the fluorescence of Fe-CDs. In light of the fact that OPs exhibited activity in inhibiting ChOx, less H₂O₂ and the decreasing oxTMB led to a result that the fluorescence of the system recovered and the solution became lighter in blue color. Moreover, the process of ChOx inhibition by OPs was analyzed by molecular docking technique and it was found that OPs interact with key amino acid residues catalyzed by ChOx (Asn510, His466, Ser101, His351, Phe357, Trp331, Glu312). Finally, a dual-mode (colorimetry and fluorescence) sensor was created for the detection of OPs with the detection limit of 6 ng/L, and was successfully used in the quantitative determination of OPs in actual samples with satisfactory results.

Facile Phase Control and Photocatalytic Performance of BiVO4 Crystals for Methylene Blue Degradation

Emerging contaminants, which mainly exist as organic pollutants and pose adverse biological effects, could be removed using photocatalytic degradation, resulting in a low-cost and environmentally friendly solution. Herein, BiVO4 nanoparticles with different morphologies and photocatalytic performances were synthesized by hydrothermal treatment at different residence times. The XRD and SEM results indicate that the crystal phase of BiVO4 gradually transformed from a single tetragonal phase to a single monoclinic crystal phase as the hydrothermal time increased, and with the extension of the hydrothermal time, the morphology of BiVO4 nanoparticles gradually differentiated from a smooth spherical shape to flower-like shapes composed of polyhedrons; the size of the crystals also increased accordingly. Methylene blue (MB), used as a probe of organic pollutants, was degraded under visible light irradiation by all BiVO4 samples to investigate its photocatalytic activities. The experimental results show that the longer the hydrothermal time, the better the photocatalytic performance. The optimum hydrothermal time was 24 h, at which the sample showed the highest photocatalytic activity for MB degradation. This work shows a convenient strategy for control of the crystal phase of BiVO4-based photocatalysts based on the understanding of the crystal morphology evolution mechanism, which will benefit the researchers in designing new BiVO4-based photocatalysts with high efficiency for emerging contaminants' degradation.

A Brief Review of Photocatalytic Reactors Used for Persistent Pesticides Degradation

Pesticide pollution is a major issue, given their intensive use in the 20th century, which led to their accumulation in the environment. At the international level, strict regulations are imposed on the use of pesticides, simultaneously with the increasing interest of researchers from all over the world to find methods of neutralizing them. Photocatalytic degradation is an intensively studied method to be applied for the degradation of pesticides, especially through the use of solar energy. The mechanisms of photocatalysis are studied and implemented in pilot and semi-pilot installations on experimental platforms, in order to be able to make this method more efficient and to identify the equipment that can achieve the photodegradation of pesticides with the highest possible yields. This paper proposes a brief review of the impact of pesticides on the environment and some techniques for their degradation, with the main emphasis on different photoreactor configurations, using slurry or immobilized photocatalysts. This review highlights the efforts of researchers to harmonize the main elements of photocatalysis: choice of the photocatalyst, and the way of photocatalyst integration within photoreaction configuration, in order to make the transfer of momentum, mass, and energy as efficient as possible for optimal excitation of the photocatalyst.