Photoinduced oxygen activation of Fe2O3/TiO2 heterostructures for efficient removal of AsH3

Active oxygen groups of metal oxides are effective for removing AsH3), wherein the activity can be promoted by increasing the reaction temperature. However, traditional thermal catalysis still suffers from problems, such as high energy consumption. Therefore, the development of safe and efficient catalytic methods for removal of AsH3 at low temperature is highly desirable. In this study, under irradiation of ultraviolet (UV) light, catalyst surface was excited in the presence of oxygen. The as-prepared iron (III) oxide/titania (Fe2O3/TiO2) heterostructures exhibited high removal rate of 98.6% toward AsH3 under UV irradiation at room temperature. Moreover, the catalysts maintained their high activity with increasing humidity and showed long-term stability as well as enhanced water resistance. The superior room temperature AsH3 removal catalytic activity of the composites under UV light could be attributed to the light-induced formation of highly active oxygen species and enhanced desorption of adsorbed water. In sum, these findings are promising for the removal of AsH3 from reductive flue gas in practical industrial application.

Automated summary

The study demonstrates that iron oxide/titania heterostructures exhibit efficient removal of AsH3 under UV light, with good humidity stability and water resistance. The superior room temperature catalytic activity for AsH3 removal can be attributed to the light-induced formation of highly active oxygen species and enhanced desorption of adsorbed water.