The application of FTO-Cu2O/Ag3PO4 heterojunction in the photoelectrochemical degradation of emerging pharmaceutical pollutant under visible light irradiation. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Koiki, Babatunde A.; Orimolade, Benjamin O.; Zwane, Busisiwe N.; Nkwachukwu, Oluchi V.; Muzenda, Charles; Nkosi, Duduzile; Arotiba, Omotayo A.
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 266(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: Photoelectrochemical degradation -- p-n heterojunctions -- copper(I) oxide -- Silver phosphate -- Photoanode -- Sulfamethoxazole; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.129231
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: We report the photoelectrochemical application of a visible light active FTO-Cu2 O/Ag3 PO4 photoanode for the abatement of sulfamethoxazole in water. The as-synthesised photoanodes were characterised using XRD, field emission SEM, EDX, diffuse reflectance UV–vis, impedance spectroscopy and chronoamperometry. The results obtained confirmed a successful formation of p-n heterojunction at the Cu2 O/Ag3 PO4 interface. The highest photocurrent response of 0.62 mAcm −2 was obtained for the composite photoanode which was four times higher than pure Cu2 O and about three times higher than pristine Ag3 PO4 . The photoanode gave 67% removal efficiency within 2 h upon its photoelectrochemical application in the degradation of sulfamethoxazole with 1.5 V bias potential at pH 6.2. The FTO-Cu2 O/Ag3 PO4 electrode was also applied in the treatment of a cocktail of synthetic organics containing sulfamethoxazole and orange II dye. The photogenerated holes was found to be the major oxidant and the photoanodes was stable and reusable. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: A visible light active FTO-Cu2 O/Ag3 PO4 photoanode was prepared. Heterojunction formation was confirmed by photocurrent and Mott Schottky plots. The photoanode was used to degrade sulfamethoxazole with 67% removal after 2 h. The photoanode degraded synthetic cocktail of sulfamethoxazole and orange II dye. The heterojunction displayed better stability than the Cu2 O and Ag3 PO4 photoanodes.