Ultrafast conversion of carcinogenic 4-nitrophenol into 4-aminophenol in the dark catalyzed by surface interaction on BiPO4/g-C3N4 nanostructures in the presence of NaBH4. Issue 31 (25th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Azzam, Ahmed B.; Djellabi, Ridha; Sheta, Sheta M.; El-Sheikh, S. M.
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 11:Issue 31(2021)
• Page Start: 18797
• Page End: 18808
• Publication Date: 2021-05-25
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/d1ra02852a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : The heterogeneous catalytic conversion of pollutants into useful industrial compounds is a two-goals at once process, which is highly recommended from the environmental, economic, and industrial points of view. Abstract : The heterogeneous catalytic conversion of pollutants into useful industrial compounds is a two-goals at once process, which is highly recommended from the environmental, economic, and industrial points of view. In this regard, design materials with high conversion ability for a specific application is required to achieve such a goal. Herein, the synthesis conditions for the fabrication of BiPO4 nanorod bundles supported on g-C3 N4 nanosheets as heterojunction composites was achieved using a facile ex situ chemical deposition for the reductive conversion of carcinogenic 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) into 4-aminophenol (4-AP). To better understand the mechanistic reduction pathways, BiPO4 /g-C3 N4 composites with varying ratios where obtained. The morphology and structure of BiPO4 /g-C3 N4 composites were checked using several methods: XRD, FE-SEM, HRTEM, XPS, and FT-IR, and it was found that hexagonal phase BiPO4 nanorod bundles were randomly distributed on the g-C3 N4 nanosheets. Overall, the reduction ability of BiPO4 /g-C3 N4 composites was far better than bare BiPO4 and g-C3 N4 . A total reductive conversion of 4-NP at a concentration of 10 mg L −1 into 4-AP was found with 50% BiPO4 /g-C3 N4 composite within only one minute of reaction. Moreover, the presence of reducing agent (NaBH4 ) enhanced the kinetic rate constant up to 2.914 min −1 using 50% BiPO4 /g-C3 N4, which was much faster than bare BiPO4 (0.052 min −1 ) or g-C3 N4 (0.004 min −1 ). The effects of some operating parameters including the initial concentration of 4-NP and catalyst dosage were also evaluated during the experiments. BiPO4 /g-C3 N4 showed great stability and recyclability, wherein, the catalytic reduction efficiency remains the same after five runs. A plausible 4-NP reduction mechanism was discussed. The high catalytic activity with the good stability of BiPO4 /g-C3 N4 make it a potential candidate for the reduction of nitroaromatic compounds in real wastewaters.