Synthesis of ZnAlTi-LDO supported C60@AgCl nanoparticles and their photocatalytic activity for photo-degradation of Bisphenol A

Abstract

ZnAlTi layered double oxide (ZnAlTi-LDO) supported C60@AgCl nanoparticles were synthesized by the coprecipitation-light-induced method and their photocatalytic activity for photo-degradation of Bisphenol A (BPA) was analyzed quantitatively by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The morphology, structure and composition of the nanocomposites were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction patterns, Fourier Transform Infrared spectra and Specific Surface Area. According to the analysis, ZnAlTi-LDO supported C60@AgCl nanoparticles (C60@AgCl-LDO) was characteristic of mesoporous materials. Pore size distribution plots of all the catalysts were well-distributed, ranging between 10 and 20nm. Because the heterostructure of Ag@AgCl enhanced near-field for light scattering, reflection and absorption. The Ag@AgCl-LDO nanoparticles and C60@AgCl-LDO nanoparticles showed a very intense absorption band in the near-UV region. The C60 was used as support materials to enhance the stability of Ag-based photocatalysts. The C60@AgCl can reduce the recombination of photo-induced electron–hole pairs and therefore increase the efficiency of the photocatalysis. The photo-degradation experiment was conducted by using a series of the nanoparticles to degrade BPA under simulated visible light irradiation. Test results show that, photogenerated holes, superoxide radical species, OHbulk and singlet oxygen are responsible for the photo-degradation, among which the superoxide radical species plays an indispensable role in the photocatalytic reaction system. The degradation rate of the C60@AgCl-LDO in photocatalytic degradation of BPA under simulated visible light irradiation is for 90%. The C60@AgCl-LDO nanoparticles with remarkable photocatalytic activity can be used for large-scale environmental remediation.