Abstract
One-dimensional BiFeO3(BFO) nanofibers fabricated by electrospinning of a solution of Nylon6/BFO followed by calcination were used for photocatalytic degradation of contaminants in water. The BFO fibers were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The SEM images of the as-spun samples demonstrated the successful production of nanofibers and the SEM images of the samples after calcination confirmed the integrity of the continuous BFO nanofibers. XRD analysis indicated the dominant presence of BFO phase throughout the calcinated nanofibers. Photocatalytic activity of the nanofibers and their application in water purification were investigated against 4-chlorophenol (4CP) as a model water contaminant. The results of the UV-Vis spectroscopy show the degradation of the 4CP by means of the photocatalytic activity of the BFO nanofibers. The kinetics of the photodegradation of 4CP is believed to be governed by a pseudo-first-order kinetics model.
Highlights
The presence of hazardous nondegradable contaminants in water such as pharmaceuticals [1] and organic and inorganic solutes [2] poses dangers of human and environmental exposure that result in health effects and environmental damage [3, 4]
The continuousness of the BFO fibers was not compromised after calcination at 600∘C as seen from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image in Figure 1(b); with Nylon6 no longer surrounding the BFO nanofibers, the average diameter was decreased to 130 ± 35 nm
One-dimensional BFO nanofibers with an average fiber diameter of 130 ± 35 nm and average BFO crystallite size of 29 ± 2 nm were successfully fabricated through electrospinning and subsequent calcination at 600∘C
Summary
The presence of hazardous nondegradable contaminants in water such as pharmaceuticals [1] and organic and inorganic solutes [2] poses dangers of human and environmental exposure that result in health effects and environmental damage [3, 4]. A widespread need, exists for developing cost effective and scalable methods to reduce harmful compounds to a permitted amount or eliminate them entirely Many methods such as the application of polymeric adsorbents, membrane separation, and oxidation treatments have been proposed [5]. Xu et al reported the degradation of CR by applying BFO thin film under visible light irradiation, which proved to be economic as well as reproducible. Their results indicated an approximate 16% decrease in the contaminant concentration in roughly 240 min [19]. The results presented the decrease in the concentration of the methyl orange under both irradiation regimes and for both structures; the most significant degradation occurred when BFO nanoparticles were utilized under the UV-Vis range exposure. The governing kinetics of the photocatalytic process is explored based on a pseudo-first-order kinetic model
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