Enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity and antibacterial behaviour on fluorine and graphene synergistically modified TiO2 nanocomposite for wastewater treatment. Issue 25 (10th November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jiang, Qiwen; Liu, Jialu; Qi, Tiantian; Liu, Yanhua
• Is Part Of: Environmental technology. Volume 43:Issue 25(2022)
• Page Start: 3821
• Page End: 3834
• Publication Date: 2022-11-10
• Subjects: Modified TiO2 -- fluorine and graphene -- wastewater treatment -- photocatalytic degradation -- antibacterial behaviour; Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Environmental protection -- Periodicals; 628.05
• DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2021.1936198
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-3330

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The photocatalytic reduction of methylene blue was recognized as an economical and effective way for dye removal. To enhance photocatalytic activity under visible-light condition, fluorine and graphene synergistically modified TiO2 (F-TiO2 /rGO) nanocomposites were successfully prepared by sol–gel method. Characterization results showed F ions played an essential role in the formation of TiO2 nanoparticles. Between the fluorine sources selected, NH4 F was more optimal than NaF doping on the grounds that the existence of Na + ion was an inevitable factor for the production of brookite. F-TiO2 /rGO nanocomposite obtained by adding 5%at NH4 F significantly narrowed the bandgap energy from approximately 3.17 to 2.41 eV. Box–Behnken design was adopted to optimize the MB photo-degradation process by F(5%NH4F) -TiO2 /rGO nanocomposites under different reaction conditions. Moreover, the antibacterial behaviour of this novel material was also investigated by Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria under visible light. The morphology changes of E. coli cells were directly observed by field emission scanning electron microscope and further confirmed that the excellent sterilization of F-TiO2 /rGO nanocomposites resulted from the active species. The outstanding photocatalytic performance and antibacterial behaviour of F-TiO2 /rGO nanocomposite was attributed to the synergistic effect of photocatalytic redox reaction and adsorption. These results indicated F(5%NH4F) -TiO2 /rGO nanocomposite was a promising antibacterial photo-adsorbent for wastewater treatment improvement. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: UF0001