Manel Machreki (Author), Georgi Tyuliev (Author), Dušan Žigon (Author), Qian Guo (Author), Takwa Chouki (Author), Ana Belén Jorge Sobrido (Author), Stoichko Dimitrov (Author), Saim Emin (Author)

Abstract

Introduction of oxygen vacancies (OVs) has been investigated as a promising way to improve the electrical and catalytic characteristics of a hematite (α-Fe2O3) based photoelectrode. In this work, we develop a novel method for preparing porous Sn-doped α-Fe2O3 (Sn:Fe2O3) thin films with intrinsic OVs. The procedure included spin- coating an iron precursor onto a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate, followed by thermal treatment at elevated temperatures. The influence of Sn dopant on the optoelectronic properties of α-Fe2O3 was demonstrated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and photoelectrochemical (PEC) measurements. The combined effect of OVs and Sn doping was found to play a synergistic role in reducing the charge recombination’s. The Sn:Fe2O3 photoanodes were used as a dual catalyst to oxidise water and break down an anti-inflammatory drug called 2-(4- isobutylphenyl)propanoic acid (IBPA). The Sn:Fe2O3 thin film with a 30-minute heat treatment time displayed the highest incident photon-to-current efficiency. For the first time, Sn:Fe2O3 thin films were utilised in the effective PEC degradation of IBPA employing peroxymonosulfate (PMS) under visible light illumination. The hydroxyl radicals (•OH), singlet oxygen (1O2), photogenerated holes (h+), and sulfate radicals (SO4 • ) were discovered to be the main reactive species during PEC degradation. IBPA degradation and the formation of new compounds were verified using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The Lepidium sativum L phytotoxicity test reveals that PEC-treated wastewater with IBPA exhibits decreased toxicity.

Keywords

Sn-doped Fe2O3;oxygen vacancies;photoelectrochemical degradation;2-(4-isobutylphenyl)propanoic acid;peroxymonosulfate;

Data

Language: English
Year of publishing:
Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization: UNG - University of Nova Gorica
UDC: 54
COBISS: 180408835 Link will open in a new window
ISSN: 1010-6030
Views: 41
Downloads: 0
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Other data

Pages: str. 1-10
Volume: ǂVol ǂ446
Issue: ǂ[article no.] ǂ115126
Chronology: Jan. 2024
DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2023.115126
ID: 22330980