Sonocatalytic removal of tetracycline in the presence of S-scheme Cu2O/BiFeO3 heterojunction: Operating parameters, mechanisms, degradation pathways and toxicological evaluation. (February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Xin; He, Xue-Song; Li, Chun-Yu; Liu, Shi-Lin; Lu, Wen; Xiang, Zheng; Wang, Yang
• Is Part Of: Journal of water process engineering. Volume 51(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-02
• Subjects: Cu2O -- BiFeO3 -- S-scheme heterojunction -- Sonocatalytic degradation -- Tetracycline; Water-supply engineering -- Periodicals; Saline water conversion -- Periodicals; Seawater -- Distillation -- Periodicals; Sanitary engineering -- Periodicals; Sewage -- Purification -- Periodicals; 627
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2022.103345
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-7144

Abstract

Abstract: The development of efficient sonocatalysts is of great significance to the treatment of antibiotic wastewater. Herein, an S-scheme sonocatalyst Cu2 O/BiFeO3 has been fabricated using a simple synthesis method, in which Cu2 O nanoparticles grow on the surface of BiFeO3 . Tetracycline (TET) was selected as a representative pharmaceutical model to systematically evaluate the sonocatalytic performance of the Cu2 O/BiFeO3 . The experimental results showed that optimized Cu2 O/BiFeO3 (CBF-3) has superior sonocatalytic performance to TET (98.0 %, 0.02302 min −1 ), which is much higher than that of pure BiFeO3 (54.6 %, 0.00515 min −1 ). Combined with the experimental result and characterization analysis, the sonodegradation mechanism was discussed. The improved sonocatalytic performance can be ascribed to the S-scheme charge transfer mechanism between Cu2 O and BiFeO3, which can simultaneously inhibit sonoelectron-hole recombination, promote carrier transfer, maintain high redox capacity, and generate more active substance. The possible intermediate products and degradation pathways of TET over CBF-3 were analyzed by ion chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Furthermore, the results of the bacterial toxicity test indicated that the toxicity of the reaction solution decreased significantly after sonodegradation. This study provides a simple way for the rational design and successful preparation of S-scheme sonocatalyst with promising applications in the remediation of the water environment. Graphical abstract: Unlabelled Image Highlights: An S-scheme sonocatalyst Cu2 O/BiFeO3 is fabricated via a facile route. Cu2 O/BiFeO3 show good sonocatalytic activity for tetracycline (TET). The intermediate products and degradation pathways were analyzed by IC and LC-MS. The toxicity of the TET solution decreased significantly after sonodegradation. Cu2 O/BiFeO3 can be magnetic isolation and shows good stability and reusability.