Journal
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
Volume 163, Issue -, Pages 444-451Publisher
ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2014.08.029
Keywords
Sunlight photocatalysis; 2-Nitrophenol degradation; 2-Chlorophenol degradation; Bi2O3 based photocatalyst
Funding
- Center of Excellence in Environmental Studies (CEES), King Abdulaziz University
- Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- University of Trieste
Ask authors/readers for more resources
The photocatalytic mineralization of 2-chlorophenol (2-CP) and 2-nitrophenol (2-NP) was investigated using alpha-Bi2O3. The experiments were performed both in complete spectrum and in the visible region (420-800 nm) of the sunlight. The materials were fully characterized by means of UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), photoluminescence (PL), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). alpha-Bi2O3 showed considerably higher activity for the mineralization of 2-nitrophenol and 2-chlorophenol under natural sunlight exposure, however still appreciable activity was observed in the visible region. Formation of surface nanocomposites Bi2O4-x-Bi2O3 was observed under sunlight irradiation due to the presence of UV light. The sunlight exposed Bi2O3, i.e. Bi2O4-x-Bi2O3 composite, showed excellent activity for the degradation and mineralization of 2-CP and 2-NP in the visible region of sunlight. A key role of both hydroxyl and superoxide anion radicals was evidenced in the degradation and mineralization processes under sunlight while only hydroxyl radicals were identified as major facilitators under visible light irradiation. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available