Photoelectrochemical advanced oxidation processes for simultaneous removal of antibiotics and heavy metal ions in wastewater using 2D-on-2D WS2@CoFe2O4 heteronanostructures: Environmental Pollution

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Abstract

The presence of antibiotics in water poses significant threats to both human health and the environment. Addressing this issue requires the effective treatment of medical wastewater. Photoelectrochemical advanced oxidation processes (PEAOPs) are emerging as promising solutions for wastewater treatment. This process utilizes photocatalysts to convert charge carriers into reactive species such as hydroxyl radicals and superoxide ions, which are essential for degrading pollutants in wastewater. However, limitations in charge carrier separation and transport have hindered the efficiency of photoelectrochemical advanced oxidation processes. To overcome these limitations, we designed WS2@CoFe2O4 heterojunctions, optimizing their energy levels to enhance charge transport and separation. This improvement significantly increased the oxidation of antibiotics such as amoxicillin and azithromycin. Multiple reactions occurred at the WS2@CoFe2O4 heterojunctions during photoelectrochemical advanced oxidation processes, leading to the impressive degradation of up to 99% of antibiotics under visible light irradiation at 0.8 V. Urea and H2O2 acted as oxidation agents within photoelectrochemical advanced oxidation processes, amplifying the generation of hydroxyl radicals and superoxide ions, further enhancing antibiotic oxidation. Moreover, the WS2@CoFe2O4 photoanode efficiently oxidized toxic antibiotics while converting As(III) into the less harmful As(V). Crucially, recyclability tests confirmed the robustness of the WS2@CoFe2O4 photoanode, ensuring its suitability for prolonged use in photoelectrochemical advanced oxidation processes. Integrating WS2@CoFe2O4 photoanodes into water purification systems can enhance efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and improve economic viability. This technology's scalability and its ability to protect ecosystems while conserving water resources make it a promising solution for addressing the critical issue of antibiotic pollution in water environments. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd
Original languageBritish English
JournalEnviron. Pollut.
Volume339
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023

Keywords

  • Advanced oxidation process
  • Antibiotics and heavy metals removal
  • Environmental chemistry
  • Photoelectrochemistry
  • Wastewater treatment
  • WS<sub>2</sub>@CoFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> heterojunctions
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Ecosystem
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Hydroxyl Radical
  • Metals, Heavy
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Superoxides
  • Wastewater
  • Water
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Antibiotics
  • Charge carriers
  • Chemicals removal (water treatment)
  • Energy utilization
  • Health risks
  • Heavy metals
  • Heterojunctions
  • Metal ions
  • Oxidation
  • Urea
  • Water pollution
  • amoxicillin
  • antibiotic agent
  • arsenic
  • arsenic trioxide
  • azithromycin
  • cobalt ferrite
  • ferrite
  • heavy metal
  • hydrogen peroxide
  • hydroxyl radical
  • nanomaterial
  • reactive oxygen metabolite
  • superoxide
  • unclassified drug
  • urea
  • antiinfective agent
  • water
  • Advanced Oxidation Processes
  • Antibiotic and heavy metal removal
  • Heavy metal removal
  • Hydroxyl radicals
  • Photo-anodes
  • Photo-electrochemistry
  • Photoelectrochemicals
  • Radical ions
  • WS2@cofe2O4 heterojunction
  • antibiotics
  • electrochemistry
  • industrial waste
  • ion
  • oxidation
  • wastewater treatment
  • Article
  • combustion
  • controlled study
  • degradation
  • energy
  • energy consumption
  • heavy metal removal
  • irradiation
  • light
  • photocatalysis
  • photoelectrochemistry
  • separation technique
  • sol-gel
  • waste water management
  • wastewater
  • water availability
  • water conservation
  • water pollutant
  • chemistry
  • ecosystem
  • human
  • oxidation reduction reaction
  • Tungsten compounds

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