Ag-single atoms modified S1.66-N1.91/TiO2-x for photocatalytic activation of peroxymonosulfate for bisphenol A degradation

In this study, Ag-0.23/(S-1.66-N-1.91/TiO2-x) single-atom photocatalyst was synthesized by in-situ photoreducing of silver on S,N-TiO2-x nanocomposite and used to degrade bisphenol A (BPA) through heterogeneous activation of potassium peroxymonosulfate (PMS) under visible-light illumination. The structure, physicochemical property, morphology, and electronic property were evalutated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectrum, X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-vis DRS), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum. Ag-0.23/(S-1.66-N-1.91/TiO2-x) single-atom photocatalyst exhibited 2.4 times higher activity for the synergetic degradation of BPA than that of its counterpart, and 48.73% mineralization rate of BPA also achieved. It was ascribed to the uniformly-dispersed metallic Ag atoms as the active site for accelerating the migration rate of photo-generated carrier for generation of high reactive radicals. The EPR experiments indicated that SO4 center dot- and (OH)-O-center dot was jointly involved in BPA degradation. (c) 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.

Automated summary

In this study, a Ag-0.23/(S-1.66-N-1.91/TiO2-x) single-atom photocatalyst was synthesized and applied for the degradation of bisphenol A (BPA) under visible-light illumination. The catalyst exhibited higher activity and mineralization rate compared to the counterpart, indicating its potential application in environmental remediation.