Title : Semiconducting metal oxide enriched with single-walled carbon nanohorns with photocatalytic properties for pharmaceutical compounds removal
Abstract:
The Blends based on semiconducting metal oxides ( SMO, e.g. ZnO) and single-walled carbon nanohorns (SWCNHs) were prepared by the solid-state interaction to remove pharmaceutical compounds (e.g. nifedipine (NIF)). A characterization of the SMO/SWCNH blends, with a concentration of SWCNH equal to 1, 2.5, and 5 wt.%, was performed by UV-VIS and FTIR spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and Raman scattering. The addition of SWCNH to the SMO matrix led to an increase in the photodegradation efficiency up to ~ 90%. SWCNHs act as acceptors and carriers of generated electrons-hole recombination, which allows a greater number of charges to be available for the formation of oxidative radicals responsible for pollutant degradation. SWCNHs have a large specific surface area and conductive structure, which favours the adsorption of pollutant molecules on the catalyst surface and facilitates charge transfer between SMO and SWCNHs, leading to a more efficient separation of charge carriers and a higher photocatalytic activity. A photodegradation efficiency up to 96.57% was reported by the increase of the weight of SMO/SWCNH 5% for the removal of NIF, as a consequence of the existence of a larger number of active sites available for the reaction.
