Fabrication of highly efficient Bi<sub>2</sub>WO<sub>6</sub>/CuS composite for visible-light photocatalytic removal of organic pollutants and Cr(VI) from wastewater

doi:10.1007/s11783-020-1344-8

Front. Environ. Sci. Eng.

2021, Vol. 15

Issue (4) : 52 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-020-1344-8

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Fabrication of highly efficient Bi₂WO₆/CuS composite for visible-light photocatalytic removal of organic pollutants and Cr(VI) from wastewater

Wei Mao^1,², Lixun Zhang^1,², Tianye Wang^3,⁴, Yichen Bai^3,⁴, Yuntao Guan^1,²(

)

¹. Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Urban Water Cycle and Water Environment Safety, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
². State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Microorganism Application and Risk Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
³. College of Resources and Environment, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130000, China
⁴. Key Laboratory of Soil Resource Sustainable Utilization for Jilin Province Commodity Grain Bases, Changchun 130118, China

Download: PDF(3663 KB) HTML
Export: BibTeX | EndNote | Reference Manager | ProCite | RefWorks

Abstract

• A novel Bi₂WO₆/CuS composite was fabricated by a facile solvothermal method.

• This composite efficiently removed organic pollutants and Cr(VI) by photocatalysis.

• The DOM could promoted synchronous removal of organic pollutants and Cr(VI).

• This composite could be applied at a wide pH range in photocatalytic reactions.

• Possible photocatalytic mechanisms of organic pollutants and Cr(VI) were proposed.

A visible-light-driven Bi₂WO₆/CuS p-n heterojunction was fabricated using an easy solvothermal method. The Bi₂WO₆/CuS exhibited high photocatalytic activity in a mixed system containing rhodamine B (RhB), tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH), and Cr (VI) under natural conditions. Approximately 98.8% of the RhB (10 mg/L), 87.6% of the TCH (10 mg/L) and 95.1% of the Cr(VI) (15 mg/L) were simultaneously removed from a mixed solution within 105 min. The removal efficiencies of TCH and Cr(VI) increased by 12.9% and 20.4%, respectively, in the mixed solution, compared with the single solutions. This is mainly ascribed to the simultaneous consumption electrons and holes, which increases the amount of excited electrons/holes and enhances the separation efficiency of photogenerated electrons and holes. Bi₂WO₆/CuS can be applied over a wide pH range (2–6) with strong photocatalytic activity for RhB, TCH and Cr(VI). Coexisiting dissolved organic matter in the solution significantly promoted the removal of TCH (from 74.7% to 87.2%) and Cr(VI) (from 75.7% to 99.9%) because it accelerated the separation of electrons and holes by consuming holes as an electron acceptor. Removal mechanisms of RhB, TCH, and Cr(VI) were proposed, Bi₂WO₆/CuS was formed into a p-n heterojunction to efficiently separate and transfer photoelectrons and holes so as to drive photocatalytic reactions. Specifically, when reducing pollutants (e.g., TCH) and oxidizing pollutants (e.g., Cr(VI)) coexist in wastewater, the p-n heterojunction in Bi₂WO₆/CuS acts as a “bridge” to shorten the electron transport and thus simultaneously increase the removal efficiencies of both types of pollutants.

Keywords Photocatalysis Bi₂WO₆/CuS Organic pollutants Cr(VI) Synergistic effect

Corresponding Author(s): Yuntao Guan

Issue Date: 10 October 2020

Cite this article:

Wei Mao,Lixun Zhang,Tianye Wang, et al. Fabrication of highly efficient Bi₂WO₆/CuS composite for visible-light photocatalytic removal of organic pollutants and Cr(VI) from wastewater[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(4): 52.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fese/EN/10.1007/s11783-020-1344-8
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fese/EN/Y2021/V15/I4/52

Fig.1 (a) XRD patterns and (b) FT-IR spectra of photocatalysts.

Fig.2 SEM images of (a) Bi₂WO₆, (b) CuS, and (c) Bi₂WO₆/CuS-3; (d) –(e) TEM (SAED) and HRTEM images of Bi₂WO₆/CuS-3, and (f) EDS spectra of Bi₂WO₆/CuS-3.

Fig.3 XPS spectra of Bi₂WO₆/CuS-3: (a) survey spectra, (b)W 4f, (c) Bi 4f, and (d) Cu 2p.

Fig.4 Results of (a) UV-vis DRS, (b) band gaps, (c) EIS Nyquist, and (d) PL spectra of photocatalysts.

Fig.5 (a) Photodegradation kinetics of RhB, (b) first-order kinetic model stimulation, (c) UV-visible spectra of RhB with Bi₂WO₆/CuS-3, and (d) photographs schematic. (Experimental conditions: 0.1 g photocatalyst, 100 mL solution, 10 mg/L RhB).

Fig.6 (a) Photodegradation kinetics of TCH at different initial concentrations, (b) first-order kinetic model stimulation, and (c) photographs schematic. (Experimental conditions: 0.1 g photocatalyst, 100 mL solution, 2–50 mg/L TCH).

Fig.7 (a) Photoreduction kinetics of Cr(VI) at different initial concentrations, (b) first-order kinetic model stimulation, and (c) Photographs schematic. (Experimental conditions: 0.1 g photocatalyst, 100 mL solution, 5–35 mg/L Cr(VI)).

Fig.8 (a) Results of simultaneous photocatalytic removal of RhB, TCH, and Cr(VI) in mixed systems and (b) comparison of photocatalytic removal efficiencies of RhB, TCH, and Cr(VI) in single and mixed systems. (Experimental conditions: 0.1 g Bi₂WO₆/CuS-3, 100 mL solution, 10 mg/L RhB, 10 mg/L TCH, and/or 15 mg/L Cr(VI)).

Fig.9 Illustration of photocatalytic removal mechanisms of pure (a) RhB, (b) TCH, and (c) Cr(VI), and (d) mixed RhB, TCH, and Cr(VI) from wastewater by Bi₂WO₆/CuS-3 under visible-light irradiation.

1	M Ahmadi, M Padervand, M Vosoughi, R Roosta Azad (2017). Facile template-free synthesis of the CuO microflowers with enhanced photocatalytic properties. Materials Research Innovations, 21(7): 434–438 https://doi.org/10.1080/14328917.2016.1264844
2	A Ali, V Baheti, J Militky (2019). Energy harvesting performance of silver electroplated fabrics. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 231: 33–40 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2019.02.063
3	X Bai, Y Du, X Hu, Y He, C He, E Liu, J Fan (2018). Synergy removal of Cr(VI) and organic pollutants over RP-MoS2/rGO photocatalyst. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 239: 204–213 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2018.08.016
4	Y Bai, J Zhao, S Feng, X Liang, C Wang (2019). Light-driven thermocatalytic CO2 reduction over surface-passivated beta-Mo2C nanowires: Enhanced catalytic stability by light. Chemical Communications (Cambridge), 55(32): 4651–4654 https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC01479A
5	P Chen, L Chen, Y Zeng, F Ding, X Jiang, N Liu, C T Au, S F Yin (2018). Three-dimension hierarchical heterostructure of CdWO4 microrods decorated with Bi2WO6 nanoplates for high-selectivity photocatalytic benzene hydroxylation to phenol. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 234: 311–317 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2018.04.028
6	R Chong, J Li, Y Ma, B Zhang, H Han, C Li (2014). Selective conversion of aqueous glucose to value-added sugar aldose on TiO2-based photocatalysts. Journal of Catalysis, 314: 101–108 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcat.2014.03.009
7	J Fang, P Zhang, H Chang, X Wang (2018). Hydrothermal synthesis of nanostructured CuS for broadband efficient optical absorption and high-performance photo-thermal conversion. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 185: 456–463 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2018.05.060
8	Z Fang, Q Li, L Su, J Chen, K C Chou, X Hou (2019). Efficient synergy of photocatalysis and adsorption of hexavalent chromium and rhodamine B over Al4SiC4/rGO hybrid photocatalyst under visible-light irradiation. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 241: 548–560 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2018.09.074
9	L Gao, J Du, T Ma (2017). Cysteine-assisted synthesis of CuS-TiO2 composites with enhanced photocatalytic activity. Ceramics International, 43(12): 9559–9563 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2017.04.093
10	L Guo, K Zhang, X Han, Q Zhao, D Wang, F Fu (2019). 2D In-plane CuS/Bi2WO6 p-n heterostructures with promoted visible-light-driven photo-Fenton degradation performance. Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland), 9(8): 1151 https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9081151
11	J He, J Wang, Y Chen, J Zhang, D Duan, Y Wang, Z Yan (2014). A dye-sensitized Pt@UiO-66(Zr) metal-organic framework for visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen production. Chemical Communications (Cambridge), 50(53): 7063–7066 https://doi.org/10.1039/C4CC01086H
12	T Huang, Y Li, X Wu, K Lv, Q Li, M Li, D Du, H Ye (2018). In-situ transformation of Bi2WO6 to highly photoreactive Bi2WO6 @Bi2S3 nanoplate via ion exchange. Chinese Journal of Catalysis, 39(4): 718–727 https://doi.org/10.1016/S1872-2067(17)62913-9
13	F Li, L Wang, X Han, Y Cao, P He, H Li (2017). Selective hydrogenation of ethylene carbonate to methanol and ethylene glycol over Cu/SiO2 catalysts prepared by ammonia evaporation method. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 42(4): 2144–2156 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.09.064
14	J Li, T Peng, Y Zhang, C Zhou, A Zhu (2018a). Polyaniline modified SnO2 nanoparticles for efficient photocatalytic reduction of aqueous Cr(VI) under visible light. Separation and Purification Technology, 201: 120–129 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2018.03.010
15	X Li, J Xie, C Jiang, J Yu, P Zhang (2018b). Review on design and evaluation of environmental photocatalysts. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 12(5): 14
16	R Liang, L Shen, F Jing, W Wu, N Qin, R Lin, L Wu (2015). NH2-mediated indium metal–organic framework as a novel visible-light-driven photocatalyst for reduction of the aqueous Cr(VI). Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 162: 245–251 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2014.06.049
17	L Liu, Y Qi, J Lu, S Lin, W An, Y Liang, W Cui (2016). A stable Ag3PO4@g-C3N4 hybrid core@shell composite with enhanced visible light photocatalytic degradation. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 183: 133–141 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2015.10.035
18	A C M Loy, A T Quitain, M K Lam, S Yusup, M Sasaki, T Kida (2019). Development of high microwave-absorptive bifunctional graphene oxide-based catalyst for biodiesel production. Energy Conversion and Management, 180: 1013–1025 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2018.11.043
19	W Mao, T Wang, H Wang, S Zou, S Liu (2018). Novel Bi2WO6 loaded g-C3N4 composites with enhanced photocatalytic degradation of dye and pharmaceutical wastewater under visible light irradiation. Journal of Materials Science Materials in Electronics, 29(17): 15174–15182 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-018-9659-y
20	M Padervand, E Jalilian (2019). Bi24Br10+xAgxO31 nanostructure, a new reusable photocatalyst for efficient removal of Acid Blue 92 from model wastewaters under visible light. Progress in Reaction Kinetics and Mechanism, 44(3): 257–266 https://doi.org/10.1177/1468678319860023
21	V K Sharma, X Yu, T J Mcdonald, C Jinadatha, D D Dionysiou, M Feng (2019). Elimination of antibiotic resistance genes and control of horizontal transfer risk by UV-based treatment of drinking water: A mini review. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 13(3): 37
22	L Wang, D W Bahnemann, L Bian, G Dong, J Zhao, C Wang (2019a). Two‐dimensional layered zinc silicate nanosheets with excellent photocatalytic performance for organic pollutant degradation and CO2 conversion. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 58(24): 8103–8108 https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201903027
23	L Wang, W Zhu, W Lu, L Shi, R Wang, R Pang, Y Cao, F Wang, X Xu (2019b). One-step electrodeposition of AuNi nanodendrite arrays as photoelectrochemical biosensors for glucose and hydrogen peroxide detection. Biosensors & Bioelectronics, 142: 111577 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2019.111577
24	X Wang, X Feng, J Shang (2018). Efficient photoelectrochemical oxidation of rhodamine B on metal electrodes without photocatalyst or supporting electrolyte. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 12(6): 11
25	F Xu, C Xu, H Chen, D Wu, Z Gao, X Ma, Q Zhang, K Jiang (2019). The synthesis of Bi2S3/2D-Bi2WO6 composite materials with enhanced photocatalytic activities. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 780: 634–642 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2018.11.397
26	R Yuan, C Yue, J Qiu, F Liu, A Li (2019). Highly efficient sunlight-driven reduction of Cr(VI) by TiO2@NH2-MIL-88B(Fe) heterostructures under neutral conditions. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 251: 229–239 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2019.03.068
27	M Zargazi, M H Entezari (2019). Anodic electrophoretic deposition of Bi2WO6 thin film: high photocatalytic activity for degradation of a binary mixture. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 242: 507–517 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2018.09.093
28	Z Zheng, T Tachikawa, T Majima (2014). Single-particle study of Pt-modified Au nanorods for plasmon-enhanced hydrogen generation in visible to near-infrared region. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 136(19): 6870–6873 https://doi.org/10.1021/ja502704n
29	H Zhou, Z Wen, J Liu, J Ke, X Duan, S Wang (2019). Z-scheme plasmonic Ag decorated WO3/Bi2WO6 hybrids for enhanced photocatalytic abatement of chlorinated-VOCs under solar light irradiation. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 242: 76–84 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2018.09.090
30	Q Zhu, Y Sun, F Na, J Wei, S Xu, Y Li, F Guo (2019). Fabrication of CdS/titanium-oxo-cluster nanocomposites based on a Ti32 framework with enhanced photocatalytic activity for tetracycline hydrochloride degradation under visible light. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 254: 541–550 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2019.05.006
31	Y Zhu, Y Wang, Q Ling, Y Zhu (2017). Enhancement of full-spectrum photocatalytic activity over BiPO4/Bi2WO6 composites. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 200: 222–229 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2016.07.002

[1]

FSE-20044-OF-MW_suppl_1

Download

[1]	Shuangyang Zhao, Chengxin Chen, Jie Ding, Shanshan Yang, Yani Zang, Nanqi Ren. One-pot hydrothermal fabrication of BiVO₄/Fe₃O₄/rGO composite photocatalyst for the simulated solar light-driven degradation of Rhodamine B[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2022, 16(3): 36-.
[2]	Yi Qian, Weichuan Qiao, Yunhao Zhang. *Toxic effect of sodium perfluorononyloxy-benzenesulfonate on Pseudomonas stutzeri* in aerobic denitrification, cell structure and gene expression**[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(5): 100-.
[3]	Mariana Valdez-Castillo, Sonia Arriaga. Response of bioaerosol cells to photocatalytic inactivation with ZnO and TiO₂ impregnated onto Perlite and Poraver carriers[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(3): 43-.
[4]	Weichuan Qiao, Rong Li, Tianhao Tang, Achuo Anitta Zuh. Removal, distribution and plant uptake of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in a simulated constructed wetland system[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(2): 20-.
[5]	Xinyi Hu, Ting Yang, Chen Liu, Jun Jin, Bingli Gao, Xuejun Wang, Min Qi, Baokai Wei, Yuyu Zhan, Tan Chen, Hongtao Wang, Yanting Liu, Dongrui Bai, Zhu Rao, Nan Zhan. Distribution of aromatic amines, phenols, chlorobenzenes, and naphthalenes in the surface sediment of the Dianchi Lake, China[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2020, 14(4): 66-.
[6]	Xinjie Wang, Yang Li, Jian Zhao, Hong Yao, Siqi Chu, Zimu Song, Zongxian He, Wen Zhang. Magnetotactic bacteria: Characteristics and environmental applications[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2020, 14(4): 56-.
[7]	Kubra Ulucan-Altuntas, Eyup Debik. Dechlorination of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) by Fe/Pd bimetallic nanoparticles: Comparison with nZVI, degradation mechanism, and pathways[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2020, 14(1): 17-.
[8]	Hang Zhang, Shuo Chen, Haiguang Zhang, Xinfei Fan, Cong Gao, Hongtao Yu, Xie Quan. Carbon nanotubes-incorporated MIL-88B-Fe as highly efficient Fenton-like catalyst for degradation of organic pollutants[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2019, 13(2): 18-.
[9]	Kaikai Zhang, Peng Sun, Yanrong Zhang. Decontamination of Cr(VI) facilitated formation of persistent free radicals on rice husk derived biochar[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2019, 13(2): 22-.
[10]	Xia Hou, Liping Huang, Peng Zhou, Hua Xue, Ning Li. Response of indigenous Cd-tolerant electrochemically active bacteria in MECs toward exotic Cr(VI) based on the sensing of fluorescence probes[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2018, 12(4): 7-.
[11]	Siyi Lu, Naiyu Wang, Can Wang. Oxidation and biotoxicity assessment of microcystin-LR using different AOPs based on UV, O₃ and H₂O₂[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2018, 12(3): 12-.
[12]	Fenghe Lv, Hua Wang, Zhangliang Li, Qi Zhang, Xuan Liu, Yan Su. Fabrication and photocatalytic ability of an Au/TiO₂/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2018, 12(1): 4-.
[13]	Christian GEORGE, Anne BEELDENS, Fotios BARMPAS, Jean-François DOUSSIN, Giuseppe MANGANELLI, Hartmut HERRMANN, Jörg KLEFFMANN, Abdelwahid MELLOUKI. Impact of photocatalytic remediation of pollutants on urban air quality[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2016, 10(5): 2-.
[14]	Xin LU, Miao LI, Hao DENG, Pengfei LIN, Mark R. MATSUMOTO, Xiang LIU. Application of electrochemical depassivation in PRB systems to recovery Fe⁰ reactivity[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2016, 10(4): 4-.
[15]	Xiaolong CHU,Guoqiang SHAN,Chun CHANG,Yu FU,Longfei YUE,Lingyan ZHU. Effective degradation of tetracycline by mesoporous Bi₂WO₆ under visible light irradiation[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2016, 10(2): 211-218.

Viewed

Full text

Abstract

Cited

Shared

Discussed