Novel composite of Zn/Ti-layered double hydroxide coupled with MXene for the efficient photocatalytic degradation of pharmaceuticals. (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Grzegórska, Anna; Wysocka, Izabela; Głuchowski, Paweł; Ryl, Jacek; Karczewski, Jakub; Zielińska-Jurek, Anna
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 308:Part 1(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: Acetaminophen -- Ibuprofen -- MXene -- Pharmaceuticals removal -- Photocatalysis -- Ti3C2 -- Zn/ti LDH; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136191
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: In the present study, a hybrid photocatalyst of Zn/Ti layered double hydroxide (LDH) coupled with MXene – Ti3 C2 was synthesized for the first time and applied in photocatalytic degradation of acetaminophen and ibuprofen, two commonly present in the natural environment and prone to accumulate in the aquatic ecosystem pharmaceuticals. The effect of MXene content (0.5 wt%, 2.5 wt%, and 5 wt%) on the photocatalytic activity of LDH/MXene composite was investigated. The composite of LDH/MXene containing 2.5 wt% of MXene revealed the highest photocatalytic activity in the degradation of acetaminophen (100% within 40 min) and ibuprofen (99.7% within 60 min). Furthermore, an improvement in acetaminophen and ibuprofen mineralization was observed for the composite material. Meanwhile, the introduction of interfering ions (Na +, Ca 2+, Mg 2+, Cl −, SO4 2− ) in the model seawater did not affect the removal efficiency of both pharmaceuticals. The photocatalytic experiment performed in the four subsequent cycles, as well as FTIR, TEM, and XPS analyses after the photodegradation process confirmed the excellent stability and reusability of the prepared composite material. In order to evaluate the effect of various reactive oxidizing species (ROS) on the photocatalytic process, the trapping experiment was applied. It was noticed that O2 − had the main contribution in photocatalytic degradation of acetaminophen, while OH and h + mainly affected the degradation of ibuprofen. Finally, based on the results of Mott Schottky analysis, bandgap calculation, and ROS trapping experiment, the possible mechanism for pharmaceuticals degradation was proposed. This research illustrates the feasibility and novelty of the treatment of pharmaceuticals by LDH/MXene composites, implying that MXene plays a significant role in the electron-hole separation and thus high photocatalytic activity. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Zn/Ti layered double hydroxide coupled with MXene was synthesized for the first time. Effective photodegradation of commonly detected pharmaceuticals in a model seawater. LDH/MXene containing 2.5 wt% of MXene revealed the highest photoactivity. The main oxidizing species responsible for ibuprofen degradation are OH. and holes (h + ). Acetaminophen degradation by Zn/Ti LDH-Ti3 C2 proceeded in the presence of .O2 − .