The degradation mechanism of Bisphenol A by photoelectrocatalysis using new materials as the working electrode

A new material, C-60@AgCl-LDO, is created for photoelectrically degrading Bisphenol A (BPA). The core of this material is a C-60@AgCl shell, which is supported by a ZnAlTi layer double oxide (LDO). The morphology, structure, composition and photoelectrocatalysis activities were extensively measured and analyzed. As a kind of Ag-based photocatalyst with heterostructure, C-60@AgCl-LDO nanoparticles showed a strong absorption in the near-UV region. C-60 was served as a supporting material to promote the stability of structure. This photoelectrocatalysis material had efficient catalytic activities, because it mitigated the recombination of photogenerated charges. The BPA degradation by irradiation using simulated visible-light was 99% for 5 cycles, when C-60@AgCl-LDO was used as the photoelectric catalyst in 0.1 mol/L NaCl electrolyte with an applied voltage of -1.0eV for 2h. Further experiments showed that, during this photoelectric degradation process, the free radical center dot OH and the superoxide radicals were the principal factor which affected the degradation efficiency. Coo@AgCl-LDO was demonstrated to be an effective photoelectric-catalyst with remarkable photoelectrocatalysis activities.

Automated summary

A new material, C-60@AgCl-LDO, was developed for photoelectrically degrading Bisphenol A (BPA). The nanoparticles showed strong absorption in the near-UV region and had efficient catalytic activities, mitigating the recombination of photogenerated charges. During the degradation process, the free radical center dot OH and the superoxide radicals were the principal factors affecting the degradation efficiency.