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Catalysts
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Applications of Nanomaterials in Environmental Catalysis
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Applications of Nanomaterials in Environmental Catalysis

A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Catalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2022) | Viewed by 9514

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Damian C. Onwudiwe

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa
Interests: coordination compound; organometallic chemistry; inorganic chemistry; bioinorganic chemistry; materials chemistry; biological activity; environmental applications; postharvest technology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are living at a time when the environment is suffering from the impact of our domestic and industrial activities. Different organic and inorganic contaminants find their way into the environment, where they accumulate and are finally absorbed into the human body via different routes. Nanomaterials with photocatalytic properties such as semiconductor oxides, sulphides, or plasmonic materials have been extensively studied for their promising ability to promote the generation of radicals that can degrade these contaminants.

This Special Issue focusses on photocatalytic nanomaterials that are used for environmental protection and remediation of contaminants. The scope covers green and chemical routes to the synthesis of photocatalysts and the application of photocatalysts for the removal of different contaminants, both organic and inorganic. New articles and reviews related to these topics are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Damian C. Onwudiwe
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Catalysts is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Synthesis of photocatalysts
  • Semiconductor heterojunction photocatalysts
  • Surface modifications of photocatalysts
  • Reaction mechanisms of photocatalysts
  • Wastewater treatment
  • Surface water treatment
  • Underground water treatment

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 10100 KiB  
Article
Photocatalytic Reduction of Hexavalent Chromium Using Cu3.21Bi4.79S9/g-C3N4 Nanocomposite
by Timothy O. Ajiboye, Opeyemi A. Oyewo, Riadh Marzouki and Damian C. Onwudiwe
Catalysts 2022, 12(10), 1075; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal12101075 - 20 Sep 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1723
Abstract
The photocatalytic reduction of hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), to the trivalent species, Cr(III), has continued to inspire the synthesis of novel photocatalysts that are capable of achieving the task of converting Cr(VI) to the less toxic and more useful species. In this study, a [...] Read more.
The photocatalytic reduction of hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), to the trivalent species, Cr(III), has continued to inspire the synthesis of novel photocatalysts that are capable of achieving the task of converting Cr(VI) to the less toxic and more useful species. In this study, a novel functionalized graphitic carbon nitride (Cu3.21Bi4.79S9/gC3N4) was synthesized and characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The composite was used for the photocatalytic reduction of hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), under visible light irradiation. A 92.77% efficiency of the reduction was achieved at pH 2, using about 10 mg of the photocatalyst and 10 mg/L of the Cr(VI) solution. A pseudo-first-order kinetic study indicated 0.0076 min−1, 0.0286 min−1, and 0.0393 min−1 rate constants for the nanoparticles, pristine gC3N4, and the nanocomposite, respectively. This indicated an enhancement in the rate of reduction by the functionalized gC3N4 by 1.37- and 5.17-fold compared to the pristine gC3N4 and Cu3.21Bi4.79S9, respectively. A study of how the presence of other contaminants including dye (bisphenol A) and heavy-metal ions (Ag(I) and Pb(II)) in the system affects the photocatalytic process showed a reduction in the rate from 0.0393 min−1 to 0.0019 min−1 and 0.0039 min−1, respectively. Finally, the radical scavenging experiments showed that the main active species for the photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) are electrons (e−), hydroxyl radicals (·OH−), and superoxide (·O2−). This study shows the potential of functionalized gC3N4 as sustainable materials in the removal of hexavalent Cr from an aqueous solution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanomaterials in Environmental Catalysis)
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15 pages, 4341 KiB  
Article
Activated Carbon-Loaded Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles and Their Photocatalytic and Antibacterial Investigations
by Chelliah Parvathiraja, Snehlata Katheria, Masoom Raza Siddiqui, Saikh Mohammad Wabaidur, Md Ataul Islam and Wen-Cheng Lai
Catalysts 2022, 12(8), 834; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal12080834 - 29 Jul 2022
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 2761
Abstract
Activated carbon doping TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesised by zapota leaf extract using the co-precipitation method. The bio-constituents of plant compounds were used in the reactions of stabilization and reductions. The carbon loading on the TiO2 nanoparticles was characterised by XRD, FTIR, [...] Read more.
Activated carbon doping TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesised by zapota leaf extract using the co-precipitation method. The bio-constituents of plant compounds were used in the reactions of stabilization and reductions. The carbon loading on the TiO2 nanoparticles was characterised by XRD, FTIR, UV-DRS, SEM with EDX, and TEM analysis. The loading of activated carbon onto the TiO2 nanoparticles decreased the crystallite size and optical bandgap, and their doping improved the surface structure of AC/TiO2 nanoparticles. Mesoporous/microporous instability was remodified from the activated carbon, which was visualised using SEM and TEM analysis, respectively. The photocatalytic dye degradation of Rh-B dye was degraded in TiO2 and AC/TiO2 nanoparticles under visible light irradiation. The degradation efficiencies of TiO2 and AC/TiO2 nanoparticles were 73% and 91%, respectively. The bacterial abilities of TiO2 and AC/TiO2 nanoparticles were examined by E. coli and S. aureus. The water reclamation efficiency and bactericidal effect of TiO2 and AC/TiO2 nanoparticles were examined via catalytic dye degradation and bacterial efficiency of activated carbon-doped titanium dioxide nanoparticles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanomaterials in Environmental Catalysis)
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17 pages, 3929 KiB  
Article
Combined Biological and Photocatalytic Degradation of Dibutyl Phthalate in a Simulated Wastewater Treatment Plant
by Ipoteng Justice Mphahlele, Soraya Phumzile Malinga and Langelihle Nsikayezwe Dlamini
Catalysts 2022, 12(5), 504; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal12050504 - 30 Apr 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1928
Abstract
The removal of organic pollutant in wastewater has become a major priority in water treatment. In this study, organic pollutant dibutyl phthalate (DBP) has been biologically and photocatalytically degraded in wastewater using modified transition metal dichalcogenides. The as-synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using various [...] Read more.
The removal of organic pollutant in wastewater has become a major priority in water treatment. In this study, organic pollutant dibutyl phthalate (DBP) has been biologically and photocatalytically degraded in wastewater using modified transition metal dichalcogenides. The as-synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using various characterization techniques, which includes XRD, Raman, FT-IR, SEM, TEM, UV-Vis, XPS, PL, EIS, and photocurrent responses. The nanoparticles synthesized by slightly modified hydrothermal method depicted a hexagonal phase, as evidenced by XRD and Raman analyses. The biological degradation of 69% dibutyl phthalate was achieved. Moreover, the total organic carbon removal efficiency of 70% was further achieved. Incorporating biological and photocatalytic systems significantly improved dibutyl phthalate removal in secondary effluent by three folds when compared to the unilateral operating setup. The optimized parameters such as pH = 7, 5 ppm and DBP concentration with the addition of 10 mg catalysts loading were employed for the photocatalytic degradation of dibutyl phthalate in water. Pristine WS2 exhibited photocatalytic efficiencies of 46% after 60 min illumination. The use of dual system 3% Ce/Gd-WS2 exhibited the highest photodegradation of 85%, with a chemical oxygen demand of 80% and total organic carbon of 77%. The enhanced activity by the composite is attested to the formation of heterojunction exhibiting excellent charge separation and low rate of recombination. The 3% Ce/Gd-WS2 can be used up to seven times and still achieve a degradation of 56%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanomaterials in Environmental Catalysis)
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15 pages, 2425 KiB  
Article
A Comparative Study of the Effect of Graphene Oxide, Graphitic Carbon Nitride, and Their Composite on the Photocatalytic Activity of Cu3SnS4
by Olalekan C. Olatunde and Damian C. Onwudiwe
Catalysts 2022, 12(1), 14; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal12010014 - 24 Dec 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2600
Abstract
Photocatalysis has shown high potential in dealing with the ever-broadening problem of wastewater treatment, escalated by the increasing level of recalcitrant chemicals often referred to as emerging contaminants. In this study, the effect of support material on the photocatalytic activity of copper tin [...] Read more.
Photocatalysis has shown high potential in dealing with the ever-broadening problem of wastewater treatment, escalated by the increasing level of recalcitrant chemicals often referred to as emerging contaminants. In this study, the effect of support material on the photocatalytic activity of copper tin sulfide (Cu3SnS4) nanoparticles for the degradation of tetracycline as an emerging contaminant is presented. Graphene oxide, protonated graphitic carbon nitride, and a composite of graphitic carbon nitride and graphene oxide were explored as support materials for Cu3SnS4 nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were incorporated with the different carbonaceous substrates to afford graphene-supported Cu3SnS4 (GO-CTS), protonated graphitic carbon nitride-supported Cu3SnS4 (PCN-CTS), and graphene oxide/protonated graphitic carbon nitride-supported Cu3SnS4 (GO/PCN-CTS). Physicochemical, structural, and optical properties of the prepared nanocomposites were characterized using techniques such as Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-Vis near infrared, and fluorescence spectrophotometry. The compositing of the Cu3SnS4 nanoparticles on the support materials was confirmed by the characterization techniques, and the optical properties of the composites were found to be influenced by the nature of the support material. The incorporation of CTS into the support materials resulted in a reduction in band gap energy with evaluated band gaps of 1.65, 1.46, 1.43 eV, and 1.16 eV. The reduction in band gap energy suggests the potential of the composites for enhanced photocatalytic activity. From the photocatalytic study, the degradation efficiency of tetracycline by CTS, PCN-CTS, GO-CTS, and PC/GO-CTS was 74.1, 85.2, 90.9, and 96.5%, respectively. All the composites showed enhanced activity compared to pristine CTS, and the existence of a synergy between GO and PCN when both were employed as support materials was observed. Based on the charge carrier recombination characteristics and the band edge potential calculations from the composites, a possible mechanism of action of each composite was proposed. This study therefore confirms the possibility of modulating the mechanism of action and subsequently the efficiency of semiconductor materials by altering the nature of the support material. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanomaterials in Environmental Catalysis)
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