Abstract
Abstract The hazard-free treatment of Cr(vi) ions is critical in modern industry. Photocatalytic reduction and detoxification are high-potential strategies. Photocatalysts with high efficiency, low cost, environmental friendliness, and easy mass products are required. In this study, we report a facile strategy using triethanolamine (TEOA) as a capping ligand to modify the surface of ZnO nanospheres. The experimental and theoretical results reveal that the presence of TEOA on the surface was beneficial for electron enrichment on Zn and hole transfer to TEOA and can photocatalytically reduce Cr(vi) by almost 100% in 5 min. The photocatalytic property of TEOA-modified ZnO could be renewed by the reabsorption of TEOA in solution. The great sedimental properties benefit photocatalyst recycling and renewal, which also provides high potential for water pollution and environmental emergency responses applications.
Highlights
Water pollution has threatened most lives on Earth
We reported a one-pot synthesis of TEOA-modified ZnO spheres that possess high activity for the photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) and good recoverable properties
We took a theoretical simulation to analyze the effect on the photocatalytic improvement of the interaction between ZnO and TEOA
Summary
Water pollution has threatened most lives on Earth. Addressing pollution by volatile organic compounds, nutrient pollutants, and heavy metals has gained the most attention. The most effective route is reducing Cr(VI) into Cr(III) through a chemical reaction and further removing Cr(III) by the precipitation process To remove these harmful heavy metal elements, multifarious approaches have been explored. As a promising photocatalyst, ZnO has been widely used for dye degradation, water splitting, and photocatalytic CO2 reduction reactions due to its high efficiency [15]. We reported a one-pot synthesis of TEOA-modified ZnO spheres that possess high activity for the photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) and good recoverable properties. This design possesses great potential for the practical application of the photocatalytic hazard-free treatment of Cr(VI)
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