Visible-light-driven removal of atrazine by durable hollow core-shell TiO2@LaFeO3 heterojunction coupling with peroxymonosulfate via enhanced electron-transfer

Insufficient charge-carriers separation and deteriorated recycling are still bottlenecks limiting practical photo-catalytic water purification. Herein, we developed a durable hollow core-shell TiO2@LaFeO3(TLFO) nanosphere via facile carbon-sphere-templated method and sol-gel process, and applied it as heterojunction photocatalyst coupled with peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for efficient atrazine (ATZ) removal via enhanced electron-transfer. The built-in electric field originated from the three-dimensional heterojunction between TiO2 and LaFeO3, acting as charge transfer driving force, enhanced the charge separation rate. Meanwhile, PMS could function as electron acceptor to boost photogenerated charge separation and maximize reactive oxidant species (e.g., (OH)-O-center dot, SO4 center dot-, O-2(center dot-) and O-1(2)) production. Therefore, the fabricated TLFO heterojunction exhibited outstanding reusability, and superior ATZ removal efficiency without detectable metal ion leaching. This work successfully demonstrates the synergistic effect and superior hollow structure of TLFO heterojunction with promoted light utilization and PMS activation, which offers potential application for efficient abating environmental pollution using solar energy.

Automated summary

The development of a durable TLFO nanosphere as a heterojunction photocatalyst with PMS has shown efficient removal of ATZ. The TLFO heterojunction demonstrates outstanding herbicidal effects by enhancing charge separation rate and generating reactive oxidant species.