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Visible-light harvesting innovative W6+/Yb3+/TiO2 materials as a green methodology photocatalyst for the photodegradation of pharmaceutical pollutants

, Naveen Kumar S, Ankita Mohanty
Published in Springer Nature
2021
Volume: 20
   
Issue: 1
Pages: 401 - 420
Abstract

In this work, we report on the synthesis of a new-age reusable visible-light photocatalyst using a heterojunction nanocomposite of W6+/Yb3+ on a mixed-phase mesoporous network of monolithic TiO2. The structural properties of the monolithic photocatalysts are characterized using p-XRD, SEM-EDAX, TEM-SAED, XPS, PLS, UV–Vis-DRS, FT-IR, micro-Raman, TG–DTA, and N2 isotherm analysis. The electron microscopic analysis reveals a mesoporous network of ordered worm-like monolithic design, with a polycrystalline mixed-phase (anatase/rutile) TiO2 composite, as indicated by diffraction studies. The UV–Vis-DRS analysis reveals a redshift in the light absorption characteristics of the mixed-phase TiO2 monolith as a function of W6+/Yb3+ co-doping. It is observed that the use of (8.0 mol%)W6+/0.4 (mole%)Yb3+ co-doped monolithic TiO2 photocatalyst, with an energy bandgap of 2.77 eV demonstrates superior visible-light photocatalysis, which corroborates with the PLS studies in terms of voluminous e/h+ pair formation. The practical application of the photocatalyst has been investigated through a time-dependent dissipation of enrofloxacin, a widely employed antimicrobial drug, and its degradation pathway has been monitored by LC–MS-ESI and TOC analysis. The impact of physio-chemical parameters such as solution pH, sensitizers, drug concentration, dopant/codopant stoichiometry, catalyst quantity, and light intensity has been comprehensively studied to monitor the process efficiency.

About the journal
JournalData powered by TypesetPhotochemical & Photobiological Sciences
PublisherData powered by TypesetSpringer Nature
Open AccessYes