Tuning the phase composition of 1D TiO2 by Fe/Sn co-doping strategy for enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical performances

Seyed Majid Ghoreishian, Kugalur Shanmugam Ranjith, Hoomin Lee, Bumjun Park, Mohammad Norouzi, Somayeh Zeinali Nikoo, Woo Sik Kim, Young Kyu Han, Yun Suk Huh

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32 Scopus citations

Abstract

The development of multi-functional visible-responsive TiO2-based photocatalysts remains a long-term goal as a promising strategy for dealing with the issue of antibiotic-residues in natural streams. Herein, for the first time, photodecomposition of a typical antibiotic, tetracycline (TC), over Fe and Sn co-doped-TiO2 nanofibers (Fe/Sn–TiO2 NFs) was evaluated under simulated visible-irradiation. A facile PVP-assisted electrospinning method was utilized to fabricate a series of TiO2 NF-based photocatalysts. Notably, compared with the pristine and single doped-TiO2 samples, Fe/Sn–TiO2 showed supreme photocatalytic efficiency and cycling photostability, capable of eliminating over 92% of the TC within 60 min after 5 cycles. Benefiting from the shortened band gap to harvest visible-light, the co-doped sample exhibited a dominant anatase phase, which could enhance photocatalytic activity. In addition, a kinetic analysis was performed to verify that the apparent photodegradation rate followed the Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetic model. Moreover, the favored separation and transmission of charge-carriers in the Fe/Sn–TiO2 were studied using photoluminescence and photoelectrochemical analyses. The Fe/Sn–TiO2 was able to degrade 81.85% and 60.59% of TC in tap and river waters, respectively, after 60 min illumination. Additionally, electron paramagnetic resonance and radical scavenging experiments were carried out to demonstrate that OH and O2 radicals were involved in the degradation of TC over Fe/Sn–TiO2. Degradation pathways of TC were investigated using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and the enhanced photodegradation mechanism was discussed in detail. Overall, the present work could provide reliable guidelines for the design and synthesis of boosted one-dimensional photocatalysts with potential applications in drug decontamination.

Original languageEnglish
Article number156826
JournalJournal of Alloys and Compounds
Volume851
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Jan 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Elsevier B.V.

Keywords

  • Antibiotic
  • Co-doped nanofibers
  • Electrospinning
  • Photocatalysis
  • Visible–light

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