Ultrasound-assisted catalytic activation of peroxydisulfate on Ti3GeC2 MAX phase for efficient removal of hazardous pollutants. (June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ansarian, Zahra; Khataee, Alireza; Arefi-Oskoui, Samira; Orooji, Yasin; Lin, Hongjun
• Is Part Of: Materials today chemistry. Volume 24(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Subjects: Titanium germanium carbide MAX phase -- K2S2O8 -- Ultrasound-assisted activation -- Organic pollutants; Chemistry -- Periodicals; Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Materials science -- Periodicals; Chemistry; Materials -- Research; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 660.282
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtchem.2022.100818
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2468-5194

Abstract

Abstract: Herein, Ti3 GeC2 MAX phase was synthesized using the reactive sintering method and characterized via various techniques. The X-ray diffraction pattern confirmed the successful synthesis of the MAX phase in the hexagonal crystal structure with high purity. Based on the field-emission scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis, layered morphology with the compacted structure was observed. The catalytic activity of the MAX phase was evaluated for activation of peroxydisulfate (PDS) under ultrasound (US) irradiation. Ti3 GeC2 MAX phase (0.2 g/L) with a bandgap of 1.72 eV demonstrated high capability to activate 0.15 mmol/L of PDS under US irradiation, resulting in 94.7% removal efficiency within 80 min of reaction time. The removal of diverse types of pollutants such as dimethyl phthalate, hydroxychloroquine, and mefenamic acid confirmed the high performance of the Ti3 GeC2 /PDS/US ternary system. The quenching tests indicated that both radical and non-radical pathways are involved in the degradation process, and O 2 −, O H, S O 4 −, and O 2 1 were recognized as critical species. In addition, a probable degradation mechanism was proposed. The results provide a promising perspective for the application of MAX phase-based materials in the ternary catalyst/oxidant/US systems for the efficient treatment of organic contaminants. To the best of our knowledge, the present work is the first effort to make use of the Ti3 GeC2 MAX phase as a desirable catalyst for the removal of organic pollutants applying the catalyst/PDS/US ternary system. Graphical abstract: Schematic radical/non-radical mechanism for the organic pollutants removal over Ti3 GeC2 /PDS/US ternary system. Image 1 Highlights: Ti3 GeC2 MAX phase synthesized via reactive sintering method. Ultrasound-assisted catalytic activation of peroxydisulfate on Ti3 GeC2 MAX phase. Removal of organic pollutants using Ti3 GeC2 /PDS/US ternary system. Removal of the organic pollutant was explained by radical/non-radical mechanism.