Enhanced Visible Light-Driven Photoelectrocatalytic Degradation of Paracetamol at a Ternary z-Scheme Heterojunction of Bi2WO6 with Carbon Nanoparticles and TiO2 Nanotube Arrays Electrode

Nondumiso Mahhumane, Leskey M. Cele, Charles Muzenda, Oluchi V. Nkwachukwu, Babatunde A. Koiki, Omotayo A. Arotiba

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this study, a ternary z-scheme heterojunction of Bi2WO6 with carbon nanoparticles and TiO2 nanotube arrays was used to remove paracetamol from water by photoelectrocatalysis. The materials and z-scheme electrode were characterised using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), EDS mapping, ultraviolet diffuse reflection spectroscopy (UV-DRS), photocurrent measurement, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), uv-vis spectroscopy and total organic carbon measurement (TOC). The effect of parameters such as current density and pH were studied. At optimal conditions, the electrode was applied for photoelectrocatalytic degradation of paracetamol, which gave a degradation efficiency of 84% within 180 min. The total organic carbon removal percentage obtained when using this electrode was 72%. Scavenger studies revealed that the holes played a crucial role during the photoelectrocatalytic degradation of paracetamol. The electrode showed high stability and reusability therefore suggesting that the z-scheme Bi2WO6-CNP-TiO2 nanotube arrays electrode is an efficient photoanode for the degradation of pharmaceuticals in wastewater.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2467
JournalNanomaterials
Volume12
Issue number14
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2022

Keywords

  • bismuth tungstate
  • carbon nanoparticle
  • paracetamol
  • photoelectrocatalytic degradation
  • titania nanotube array
  • water treatment
  • z-scheme heterojunction

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemical Engineering
  • General Materials Science

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