g-C3N4/TiO2 nanocomposite coated with zinc oxide for selective photocatalytic degradation of nitrate in aquatic media
Source abstract
Abstract
Healthy drinking water, free of toxic chemicals, is essential for human health. Nitrate ion in water causes poisoning. Photocatalytic removal of nitrate from water and its conversion to nitrogen gas is of great importance. Heterogeneous photocatalytic nanocomposite g-C3N4/TiO2/ZnO (CTZ) has been considered in this study to remove nitrate in the presence of UV light and formic acid as hole scavenger. The CTZ structure was characterized using FT-IR, SEM, EDS, TEM, BET, and XRD techniques. In this work, an aqueous solution containing NO3−-N anion (50 mg L−1) was examined using different CTZ. Nitrate removal results showed the highest rate 95.24% in the first 60 min. The use of CTZ was assosiated with improved results in nitrate reduction under visible light irradiation (91.82% nitrate conversion, 95.39% N2selectivity). Promising results under visible light are attributed to decrease in the CTZ bandgap, and thus the ease of electron–hole pair formation.Graphical AbstractIn this research, the ternary nanocomposite g-C3N4/TiO2/ZnO was prepared in a different way that makes it cost-effective to produce at higher scales. On the other hand, this research is innovative in terms of using the ternary nanocomposite g-C3N4/TiO2/ZnO in the removal of aqueous nitrate in the presence of UV light and formic acid as hole scavenger. Nitrate removal results showed the highest rate of nitrate conversion to nitrogen gas (95.24%) in the first 60 min. The use of composite nanophotocatalyst g-C3N4/TiO2/ZnO was associated with improved results in nitrate reduction under visible light irradiation (91.82% nitrate conversion, 95.39% N2 selectivity).
Source: expertdata · Quality: candidate unverified · Source record ↗
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques · Advanced Nanomaterials in Catalysis · Covalent Organic Framework Applications
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
References (54)
Show source-provided references
1. U. Baig, M. Faizan, M. Sajid, Effective removal of hazardous pollutants from water and deactivation of water-borne pathogens using multifunctional synthetic adsorbent materials: a review. J. Clean. Prod. 302, 126735 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.12673510.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126735 ↗
2. S. Li, M. Cai, Y. Liu, C. Wang, R. Yan, X. Chen, Constructing Cd0.5Zn0.5S/Bi2WO6 S-scheme heterojunction for boosted photocatalytic antibiotic oxidation and Cr(VI) reduction. Adv. Powder Mater. 2(1), 100073 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmate.2022.10007310.1016/j.apmate.2022.100073 ↗
3. M. Cai, Y. Liu, C. Wang, W. Lin, S. Li, Novel Cd0.5Zn0.5S/Bi2MoO6 S-scheme heterojunction for boosting the photodegradation of antibiotic enrofloxacin: degradation pathway, mechanism and toxicity assessment. Sep. Purif. Technol. 304, 122401 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2022.12240110.1016/j.seppur.2022.122401 ↗
4. A. Vahid, M. Abdouss, S. Nayeri, A. Miran Beigi, Simultaneous adsorption of cationic and anionic dyes using a novel multifunctional mesoporous silica. Anal. Method Environ. Chem. J. 4(1), 46–57 (2021). https://doi.org/10.24200/amecj.v4.i01.12710.24200/amecj.v4.i01.127 ↗
5. S. Li, R. Yan, M. Cai, W. Jiang, M. Zhang, X. Li, Enhanced antibiotic degradation performance of Cd0.5Zn0.5S/Bi2MoO6 S-scheme photocatalyst by carbon dot modification. J. Mater. Sci. Technol. 164, 59–67 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmst.2023.05.00910.1016/j.jmst.2023.05.009 ↗
6. S. Li, C. Wang, K. Dong, P. Zhang, X. Chen, X. Li, MIL-101 (Fe)/BiOBr S-scheme photocatalyst for promoting photocatalytic abatement of Cr (VI) and enrofloxacin antibiotic: performance and mechanism. Chin. J. Catal. 51, 101–112 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/S1872-2067(23)64479-110.1016/S1872-2067(23)64479-1 ↗
7. S. Li, M. Cai, C. Wang, Y. Liu, Ta3N5/CdS core–shell S-scheme heterojunction nanofibers for efficient photocatalytic removal of antibiotic tetracycline and Cr (VI): performance and mechanism insights. Adv. Fiber Mater. 5, 994–1007 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42765-022-00253-510.1007/s42765-022-00253-5 ↗
8. C. Wang, R. Yan, M. Cai, Y. Liu, S. Li, A novel organic/inorganic S-scheme heterostructure of TCPP/Bi12O17Cl2 for boosting photodegradation of tetracycline hydrochloride: kinetic, degradation mechanism, and toxic assessment. Appl. Surf. Sci. 610, 155346 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2022.15534610.1016/j.apsusc.2022.155346 ↗
9. C.A. Grande, R. Blom, V. Middelkoop, D. Matras, A. Vamvakeros, S.D. Jacques, A.M. Bouzga, Multiscale investigation of adsorption properties of novel 3D printed UTSA-16 structures. Chem. Eng. J. 402, 12616 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2020.12616610.1016/j.cej.2020.126166 ↗
10. S. Li, M. Cai, Y. Liu, C. Wang, K. Lv, X. Chen, S-Scheme photocatalyst TaON/Bi2WO6 nanofibers with oxygen vacancies for efficient abatement of antibiotics and Cr (VI): intermediate eco-toxicity analysis and mechanistic insights. Chin. J. Catal. 43, 2652–2664 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/S1872-2067(22)64106-810.1016/S1872-2067(22)64106-8 ↗
11. M. Cai, Y. Liu, K. Dong, X. Chen, S. Li, Floatable S-scheme Bi2WO6/C3N4/carbon fiber cloth composite photocatalyst for efficient water decontamination. Chin. J. Catal. 52, 239–251 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/S1872-2067(23)64496-110.1016/S1872-2067(23)64496-1 ↗
12. G. Liu, Y. Zhou, Z. Liu, J. Zhang, B. Tang, S. Yang, C. Sun, Efficient nitrate removal using micro-electrolysis with zero valent iron/activated carbon nanocomposite. J. Chem. Technol. Biotechnol. 91, 2942–2949 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1002/jctb.491010.1002/jctb.4910 ↗
13. H.O.N. Tugaoen, P. Herckes, P. Westerhoff, Influence of ultraviolet wavelengths on kinetics and selectivity for N-gases during TiO2 photocatalytic reduction of nitrate. Appl. Catal. B 220, 597–606 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2017.08.07810.1016/j.apcatb.2017.08.078 ↗
14. M.J. Kim, S.S. Choi, P.B.S. Rallapalli, H.J. Ha, S. Lee, Y. Lee, Nitrate removal from water phase using Robinia pseudoacacia bark for solving eutrophication. Korean J. Chem. Eng. 36, 1450–1454 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11814-019-0331-x10.1007/s11814-019-0331-x ↗
15. P. Yoo, Y. Amano, M. Machida, Adsorption of nitrate onto nitrogen-doped activated carbon fibers prepared by chemical vapor deposition. Korean J. Chem. Eng. 35, 2468–2473 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11814-018-0151-410.1007/s11814-018-0151-4 ↗
16. L.M. Wild, B. Mayer, F. Einsiedl, Decadal delays in groundwater recovery from nitrate contamination caused by low O2 reduction rates. Water Resour. Res. 54, 9996–10012 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1029/2018WR02339610.1029/2018WR023396 ↗
17. B. Wang, S.Y. Liu, F.Y. Li, Z. Fan, Removal of nitrate from constructed wetland in winter in high-latitude areas with modified hydrophyte biochars. Korean J. Chem. Eng. 34, 717–722 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11814-016-0308-y10.1007/s11814-016-0308-y ↗
18. L. Zhu, X. Zhu, C. Zhang, T. Huo, X. Hou, D. Guo, H. Zhang, D. Xia, Enhanced visible-light catalytic degradation of methylene blue by improving adsorption of porous zirconium-based porphyrin MOFs sensitized TiO2 photocatalyst. J. Mater. Res. 36, 2961–2972 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1557/s43578-021-00303-510.1557/s43578-021-00303-5 ↗
19. J. Hirayama, R. Abe, Y. Kamiya, Combinational effect of Pt/SrTiO3: Rh photocatalyst and SnPd/Al2O3 non-photocatalyst for photocatalytic reduction of nitrate to nitrogen in water under visible light irradiation. Appl. Catal. B 144, 721–729 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2013.08.00510.1016/j.apcatb.2013.08.005 ↗
20. Y. Li, S.G. Li, J. Wang, C.H. Ma, L. Zhang, Preparation and solar-light photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanocomposites: TiO2/kaolin, TiO2/diatomite, and TiO2/ zeolite. Russ. J. Phys. Chem. A 88, 2471–2475 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1134/S003602441413012310.1134/S0036024414130123 ↗
21. R. Kaveh, M. Mokhtarifar, M. Bagherzadeh, A. Lucotti, M.V. Diamanti, M.P. Pedeferri, Magnetically recoverable TiO2/SiO2/ɤ-Fe2O3/rGO composite with significantly enhanced UV-visible light photocatalytic activity. Molecules 25, 2996 (2020). https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules2513299610.3390/molecules25132996 ↗
22. S. Jayapandi, P. Backialakshmi, P. Soundarrajan, M. Senthil Pandian, P. Ramasamy, S. Suresh Kumar, C. Gopinathan, Construction of p–n junction type Ag2O/SnO2 heterostructure photocatalyst for enhanced organic dye degradation under direct sunlight irradiation: experimental and theoretical investigations. J. Mater. Res. 38, 753–766 (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules2513299610.3390/molecules25132996 ↗
23. M. Mokhtarifar, D.T. Nguyen, M.V. Diamanti, R. Kaveh, M. Asa, M. Sakar, M.P. Pedeferrib, T.O. Do, Fabrication of dual-phase TiO2/WO3 with post-illumination photocatalytic memory. N. J. Chem. 44, 20375–20386 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NJ04694A10.1039/D0NJ04694A ↗
24. Y. Sakatani, H. Ando, K. Okusako, H. Koike, J. Nunoshige, T. Takata, J.N. Kondo, H. Domen, Metal ion and N co-doped TiO2 as a visible-light photocatalyst. J. Mater. Res. 19, 2100–2108 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1557/JMR.2004.026910.1557/JMR.2004.0269 ↗
25. M. Huang, J. Li, M. Wu, H. Wang, M. Fan, W. Huang, L. Dong, B. Li, Enhanced visible light absorption CdS-decorated direct Z-scheme g-C3N4/TiO2 for improved photocatalysis and hydrogen generation. J. Mater. Res. 37, 2241–2256 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1557/s43578-022-00614-110.1557/s43578-022-00614-1 ↗
26. P. Zhou, J. Yu, Y. Wang, The new understanding on photocatalytic mechanism of visible-light response N-S codoped anatase TiO2 by first-principles. Appl. Catal. B 142–143, 45–53 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2013.04.06310.1016/j.apcatb.2013.04.063 ↗
27. K. Dai, L.H. Lu, C.H. Liang, Q. Liu, G.P. Zhu, Heterojunction of facet coupled g-C3N4/surface-fluorinated TiO2 nanosheets for organic pollutants degradation under visible LED light irradiation. Appl. Catal. B 156–157, 331–340 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2014.03.03910.1016/j.apcatb.2014.03.039 ↗
28. A.Y. Yan, A.H. Yang, B.Z. Yi, A.R. Li, T. Xian, Design of ternary CaTiO3/g-C3N4/AgBr Z-scheme heterostructured photocatalysts and their application for dye photodegradation. Solid State Sci. 100, 106102 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2019.10610210.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2019.106102 ↗
29. Q. Shen, C. Wu, Z. You, F. Huang, J. Sheng, F. Zhang, D. Cheng, H. Yang, g-C3N4 nanoparticle@porous g-C3N4 composite photocatalytic materials with significantly enhanced photo-generated carrier separation efficiency. J. Mater. Res. 35, 2148–2157 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1557/jmr.2020.18210.1557/jmr.2020.182 ↗
30. Y. Wang, X. Wang, M. Antonietti, Polymeric graphitic carbon nitride as a heterogeneous organocatalyst: from photochemistry to multipurpose catalysis to sustainable chemistry. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 51, 68–89 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.20110118210.1002/anie.201101182 ↗
31. D. Mitoraj, H. Kisch, The nature of nitrogen-modified titanium dioxide photocatalysts active in visible light. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 47, 9975–9978 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.20080030410.1002/anie.200800304 ↗
32. L.A. Al-Hajji, A.A. Ismail, M.F. Atitar, I. Abdelfattah, A.M. El-Toni, Construction of mesoporous g-C3N4/TiO2 nanocrystals with enhanced photonic efficiency. Ceram. Int. 45, 1265–1272 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2018.10.00910.1016/j.ceramint.2018.10.009 ↗
33. A. Sudhaik, P. Raizada, P. Shandilya, D.Y. Jeong, J.H. Lim, P. Singh, Review on fabrication of graphitic carbon nitride based efficient nanocomposites for photodegradation of aqueous phase organic pollutants. J. Ind. Eng. Chem. 67, 28–51 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jiec.2018.07.00710.1016/j.jiec.2018.07.007 ↗
34. Y. Zou, J.W. Shi, D. Ma, Z. Fan, L. Lu, C. Niu, In situ synthesis of C-doped TiO2@g-C3N4 core-shell hollow nanospheres with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity for H2 evolution. Chem. Eng. J. 322, 435–444 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2017.04.05610.1016/j.cej.2017.04.056 ↗
35. M.A. Karimi, M.H. Ghasemi, M.J. Aghagoli, M.H. Beyki, Preconcentration of cobalt ions by a melamine-modified cellulose@ MWCNT nanohybrid. Mikrochim. Acta 183, 2949–2955 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-016-1943-z10.1007/s00604-016-1943-z ↗
36. M.H. Beyki, H. Alijani, M.H. Ghasemi, Melamine-anchored magnetic multiwall carbon nanotubes: tailoring functional groups reactivity for efficient adsorption of anionic dye. Desalin. Water Treat. 57, 20565–20573 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1080/19443994.2015.110955910.1080/19443994.2015.1109559 ↗
37. D. Jiang, H. Yu, H. Yu, Modified g-C3N4/TiO2 nanosheets/ZnO ternary facet coupled heterojunction for photocatalytic degradation of p-toluenesulfonic acid (p-TSA) under visible light. Physica E 85, 1–6 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physe.2016.08.01410.1016/j.physe.2016.08.014 ↗
38. J. Wang, J. Huang, H. Xie, A. Qu, Synthesis of g-C3N4/TiO2 with enhanced photocatalytic activity for H2 evolution by a simple method. Int. J. Hydrog. Energy 39, 6354–6363 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2014.02.02010.1016/j.ijhydene.2014.02.020 ↗
39. R. Wahab, S.G. Ansari, Y.S. Kim, H.K. Seo, G.S. Kim, G. Khang, H.S. Shin, Low temperature solution synthesis and characterization of ZnO nano-flowers. Mater. Res. Bull. 42, 1640–1648 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.materresbull.2006.11.03510.1016/j.materresbull.2006.11.035 ↗
40. G. Nagaraju, Udayabhanu, S.A. Prashanth, M. Shastri, K.V. Yathish, C. Anupama, Electrochemical heavy metal detection, photocatalytic, photoluminescence, biodiesel production and antibacterial activities of Ag–ZnO nanomaterial. Mater. Res. Bull. 94, 54–63 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.materresbull.2017.05.04310.1016/j.materresbull.2017.05.043 ↗
41. J. Li, Y. Liu, H. Li, C. Chen, Fabrication of g-C3N4/TiO2 composite photocatalyst with extended absorption wavelength range and enhanced photocatalytic performance. J. Photochem. Photobiol. A 317, 151–160 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2015.11.00810.1016/j.jphotochem.2015.11.008 ↗
42. M. Troppová, M. Šihor, M. Reli, P. Ritz, K. Praus, Kočí, Unconventionally prepared g-C3N4/TiO2 photocatalysts for photocatalytic decomposition of nitrous oxide. Appl. Surf. Sci. 430, 335–347 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2017.06.29910.1016/j.apsusc.2017.06.299 ↗
43. M. Davarpanah, A. Ahmadpour, T. Rohani-Bastami, H. Dabir, Synthesis and application of diethanolamine-functionalized polystyrene as a new sorbent for the removal of p-toluenesulfonic acid from aqueous solution. J. Ind. Eng. Chem. 30, 281–288 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jiec.2015.05.03410.1016/j.jiec.2015.05.034 ↗
44. M. Mokhtarifar, R. Kaveh, M. Bagherzadeh, A. Lucotti, M.P. Pedeferri, M.V. Diamanti, Heterostructured TiO2/SiO2/γ-Fe2O3/rGO coating with highly efficient visible-light-induced self-cleaning properties for metallic artifacts. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 12, 29671–29683 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.0c0679210.1021/acsami.0c06792 ↗
45. M.R. Arefi, S. Rezaei-Zarchi, Synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles and their effect on the compressive strength and setting time of self-compacted concrete paste as cementitious composites. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 13, 4340–4350 (2012). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms1304434010.3390/ijms13044340 ↗
46. T. Yang, S. Park, T. Gon Kim, D.S. Shin, K. Suh, J. Park, Ultraviolet photodetector using pn junction formed by transferrable hollow n-TiO2 nano-spheres monolayer. Opt. Express 25, 30843–30850 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.25.03084310.1364/OE.25.030843 ↗
47. S. Bagheri, K. Shameli, S. B. A. Hamid, Synthesis and characterization of anatase titanium dioxide nanoparticles using egg white solution via sol-gel method. J. Chem. 2013, 848205 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/84820510.1155/2013/848205 ↗
48. A. Kumar, P. Kumar, C. Joshi, M. Manchanda, R. Boukherroub, S.L. Jain, Nickel decorated on phosphorous-doped carbon nitride as an efficient photocatalyst for reduction of nitrobenzenes. Nanomaterials 6, 59–73 (2016). https://doi.org/10.3390/nano604005910.3390/nano6040059 ↗
49. R.A. Senthil, J. Theerthagiri, A. Selvi, J. Madhavan, Synthesis and characterization of low-cost g-C3N4/TiO2 composite with enhanced photocatalytic performance under visible-light irradiation. Opt. Mater. 64, 533–539 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2017.01.02510.1016/j.optmat.2017.01.025 ↗
50. H. Alijani, R. Kaveh, Preparation of rGO-CNT/Ag3PO4/Nb2O5 composite with enhanced photoresponse properties as a highly effective visible light driven photocatalyst. J. Chem. Technol. Biotechnol. (2022). https://doi.org/10.1002/jctb.715110.1002/jctb.7151 ↗
51. L. Pan, G.Q. Shen, J.W. Zhang, X.C. Wei, L. Wang, J.J. Zou, X. Zhang, TiO2–ZnO composite sphere decorated with ZnO clusters for effective charge isolation in photocatalysis. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 54, 7226–7232 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.5b0147110.1021/acs.iecr.5b01471 ↗
52. F. Zhang, R. Jin, J. Chen, C. Shao, W. Gao, L. Li, N. Guan, High photocatalytic activity and selectivity for nitrogen in nitrate reduction on Ag/TiO2 catalyst with fine silver clusters. J. Catal. 32, 424–431 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcat.2005.04.01410.1016/j.jcat.2005.04.014 ↗
53. S. Rengaraj, X.Z. Li, Enhanced photocatalytic reduction reaction over Bi3+–TiO2 nanoparticles in presence of formic acid as a hole scavenger. Chemosphere 66, 930–938 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2006.06.00710.1016/j.chemosphere.2006.06.007 ↗
54. D.D.B. Luiz, S.L.F. Andersen, C. Berger, H.J. José, Moreira RDFPM, Photocatalytic reduction of nitrate ions in water over metal-modified TiO2. J. Photochem. Photobiol. A 246, 36–44 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2012.07.01110.1016/j.jphotochem.2012.07.011 ↗