Efficient removal of Bisphenol A in water via piezocatalytic degradation by equivalent-vanadium-doped SrTiO3 nanofibers

Abstract

A new strategy was reported for removal of low-concentration BPA in water via piezocatalytic degradation of equivalently V-doped SrTiO3 nanofibers (V-STO NFs), which can effectively convert mechanical vibration into chemical energy under ultrasound only. The optimal doped 0.5% V-STO NFs exhibited excellent piezocatalytic performance of complete removal of BPA within 24 min, which could be ascribed to the localized surface piezoelectricity of SrTiO3 itself and increased local asymmetry of the crystal originating from equivalent vanadium substitution. The influence of ultrasonic power, pH, BPA concentration and coexisting inorganic anions on BPA degradation were analyzed. Moreover, a suitable piezocatalytic mechanism was proposed through the free radical capture test and ESR characterization. The results suggested that the •O2– and •OH are the main active radicals in BPA oxidation. It provides a feasible approach for removal of phenolic pollutants by a perovskite-based nano-piezoelectric material.