Interfacial Engineering of a Z-Scheme BiOS/NiTiO Heterojunction Photoanode for the Degradation of Sulfamethoxazole in Water.

To develop a semiconductor interface with enhanced spatial separation of carriers under visible light irradiation for the photoelectrochemical (PEC) oxidation process, we explored the fabrication of a BiOS/NiTiO heterojunction photoanode for the removal of sulfamethoxazole in water. The BiOS/NiTiO photoanode was synthesized via an in situ hydrothermal process, and it exhibited better light absorption and charge separation, as well as a reduced rate of recombination of photoexcited charge species compared to pristine BiOS and NiTiO The improved photoelectrocatalytic performance was attributed to the synergistic interaction between BiOS and NiTiO and the presence of an S-O bond at the heterojunction interface, thus resulting in Z-scheme heterojunction formation. Various characterization methods such as XPS, UV-DRS, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, photoluminescence, FESEM, TEM, and photocurrent response measurements were explored to explain the optical and electrochemical properties of the semiconductor heterojunction.

A nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheet/poly(amidoamine) dendrimer-based electrochemical sensor for nicotine in flavored hookah pipe tobacco.

Towards the nicotine addiction challenge in the smoking of hookah pipe products, we hereby present the development of an electrochemical sensor for nicotine detection. A nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheet (N-CNS)/poly(amidoamine) dendrimer (PAMAM) nanocomposite-modified electrode was prepared as a sensor for the detection of nicotine in analytical and real samples. The N-CNSs were prepared by a hydrothermal method and dropcast on a glassy carbon electrode followed by electro-deposition of the PAMAM dendrimer to form the sensor (GCE/N-CNSs/PAMAM).

A review on reactive oxygen species generation, anode materials and operating parameters in sonoelectrochemical oxidation for wastewater remediation.

The application of sonoelectrochemical (SEC) oxidation technique involving the incorporation of ultrasound irradiation into an electrochemical oxidation system has found enormous success for various purposes, especially for organic synthesis and water treatment. Although its industrial application towards the removal of organic contaminants in water is not popular, its success on the laboratory scale is often attributed to the physical and chemical effects. These effects arise from the influence of ultrasound irradiation, thus eliminating electrode passivation or fouling, improving mass transfer and enhancing reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation.

Peroxydisulphate activated FTO-WO nanorods based photoelectrocatalytic degradation of tetracycline: Intermediate products, degradation pathway and ecotoxicity studies.

This work reports sulphate radical assisted photoelectrocatalytic (SR-PEC) degradation of tetracycline using a visible light active fluorine-doped tin oxide - tungsten trioxide nanorods (FTO-WO NRs) photoanode. The WO NRs were synthesised via the hydrothermal method and then conducted on the FTO glass to form a photoanode. When the photoanode was applied without sulphate radicals for PEC degradation, 10 % of the tetracycline was degraded.

Sulfate Radical in (Photo)electrochemical Advanced Oxidation Processes for Water Treatment: A Versatile Approach.

The search for a simple and clean approach toward the production of sulfate radicals for water treatment gave rise to electrochemical and photoelectrochemical activation techniques. The photoelectrochemical activation method does not just distinguish itself as a promising activation method, it is also used as an efficient water treatment method with the ability to treat a myriad of pollutants due to the complementary effects of highly reactive oxidizing species. This perspective highlights some merits that distinguish sulfate monoanion radicals from hydroxyl radicals.

Dendrimer-Gold Nanocomposite-Based Electrochemical Aptasensor for the Detection of Dopamine.

Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter and biomarker that plays a vital role in our neurological system and body. Thus, it is important to monitor the concentration levels of dopamine in our bodies. We report an aptamer-based sensor fabricated through an electro-co-deposition of a generation 3 poly(propylene imine) (PPI) dendrimer and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on a glassy carbon (GC) electrode by cyclic voltammetry.

Heterogenous electro-Fenton degradation of sulfamethoxazole on a polyethylene glycol-coated magnetite nanoparticles catalyst.

We report the preparation and application of poly (ethylene) glycol (PEG) coated magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) catalyst for the heterogeneous electro-Fenton (HEF) degradation of sulfamethoxazole in real wastewater PEG-coated MNPs of four MNP:PEG ratios were synthesised using the co-precipitation method. The synthesised MNP were characterised using FTIR, XRD, EDX, TEM, and CHN elemental analysis. It was observed that the coating of MNP with PEG influences the nanoparticle size, agglomeration tendencies and catalytic efficiency of MNPs properties in the HEF degradation process.

B-doping mediated formation of oxygen vacancies in BiSnO quantum dots with a unique electronic structure for efficient and stable photoelectrocatalytic sulfamethazine degradation.

This study devised a straightforward one-step approach that enabled simultaneous boron (B) doping and oxygen vacancies (OVs) production on BiSnO (BSO) (B-BSO-OV) quantum dots (QDs), optimizing the electrical structure of the photoelectrodes. Under light-emitting diode (LED) illumination and a low potential of 1.15 V, B-BSO-OV demonstrated effective and stable photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) degradation of sulfamethazine (SMT), achieving the first-order kinetic rate constant of 0.

Photoelectrocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue on Electrodeposited Bismuth Ferrite Perovskite Films.

Electrodeposited bismuth ferrite (BiFeO) thin films on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate were employed as photoanodes in the photoelectrocatalytic degradation of methylene blue. The BiFeO thin films electrodeposited for 300 s, 600 s, 1200 s, 1800 s and 3600 s were characterised with XRD, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. SEM images displayed different morphology at different electrodeposition times which affects the photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) performances.

Sonoelectrochemical oxidation of sulfamethoxazole in simulated and actual wastewater on a piezo-polarizable FTO/BaZr TiO electrode: reaction kinetics, mechanism and reaction pathway studies.

The sonoelectrochemical (SEC) oxidation of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) in simulated and actual wastewater on FTO/BaZrTiO, FTO/BaZrTiO and FTO/BaTiO electrodes is hereby presented. Electrodes from piezo-polarizable BaZrTiO, BaZrTiO, and BaTiO materials were prepared by immobilizing these materials on fluorine-doped tin dioxide (FTO) glass. Electrochemical characterization performed on the electrodes using chronoamperometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques revealed that the FTO/BaZrTiO anode displayed the highest sonocurrent density response of 2.

Enhanced Visible Light-Driven Photoelectrocatalytic Degradation of Paracetamol at a Ternary z-Scheme Heterojunction of BiWO with Carbon Nanoparticles and TiO Nanotube Arrays Electrode.

In this study, a ternary z-scheme heterojunction of BiWO with carbon nanoparticles and TiO nanotube arrays was used to remove paracetamol from water by photoelectrocatalysis. The materials and z-scheme electrode were characterised using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), EDS mapping, ultraviolet diffuse reflection spectroscopy (UV-DRS), photocurrent measurement, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), uv-vis spectroscopy and total organic carbon measurement (TOC). The effect of parameters such as current density and pH were studied.

Improved Magnetite Nanoparticle Immobilization on a Carbon Felt Cathode in the Heterogeneous Electro-Fenton Degradation of Aspirin in Wastewater.

Toward the improvement of the application of heterogeneous electro-Fenton in water treatment, we report a new strategy of enhancing the immobilization of a magnetite nanoparticle catalyst on a carbon felt cathode. Exploiting the intrinsic ferrimagnetic properties of magnetite nanoparticles, magnet bars were used to attach the magnetite into the void spaces of the porous carbon felt (CF) cathode. The magnetite nanoparticles were prepared by coprecipitation with variations in the molar ratios of Fe/Fe.

Electrochemical detection of nicotine at a carbon Nanofiber-Poly(amidoamine) dendrimer modified glassy carbon electrode.

Development of electrochemical sensors for important drugs such nicotine (an addictive drug) is important for the society. This study reports the electrochemical detection of nicotine at a carbon nanofiber/poly (amidoamine) dendrimer modified glassy carbon electrode. The carbon nanofiber (CNF) modified GCE was prepared by drop-coating followed by the electrodeposition of generation 4 poly (amidoamine) succinamic acid dendrimer (PAMAM) to form the sensor - CNF-PAMAM GCE.

Enhanced photoelectrocatalytic degradation of diclofenac sodium using a system of Ag-BiVO/BiOI anode and Ag-BiOI cathode.

We report the photoelectrocatalysis of diclofenac sodium using a reactor consisting of Ag-BiVO/BiOI anode and Ag-BiOI cathode. The electrodes were prepared through electrodeposition on FTO glass and modified with Ag nanoparticles through photodeposition. The structural and morphological studies were carried out using XRD, SEM, and EDS which confirmed the successful preparation of the materials.

Perovskite Oxide-Based Materials for Photocatalytic and Photoelectrocatalytic Treatment of Water.

Meeting the global challenge of water availability necessitates diversification from traditional water treatment methods to other complementary methods, such as photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis (PEC), for a more robust solution. Materials play very important roles in the development of these newer methods. Thus, the quest and applications of a myriad of materials are ongoing areas of water research.

A Silver-Loaded Exfoliated Graphite Nanocomposite Anti-Fouling Electrochemical Sensor for Bisphenol A in Thermal Paper Samples.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized separately and loaded onto the expanded layers of exfoliated graphite (EG) to form a silver nanoparticle-exfoliated graphite nanocomposite (AgNPs-EG). The AgNPs-EG was compressed into a pellet (0.6 cm in diameter) and used to prepare an electrochemical sensor for bisphenol A (BPA) in standard samples and in thermal paper.

The application of FTO-CuO/AgPO heterojunction in the photoelectrochemical degradation of emerging pharmaceutical pollutant under visible light irradiation.

We report the photoelectrochemical application of a visible light active FTO-CuO/AgPO photoanode for the abatement of sulfamethoxazole in water. The as-synthesised photoanodes were characterised using XRD, field emission SEM, EDX, diffuse reflectance UV-vis, impedance spectroscopy and chronoamperometry. The results obtained confirmed a successful formation of p-n heterojunction at the CuO/AgPO interface.

CuO as an emerging semiconductor in photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic treatment of water contaminated with organic substances: a review.

A wide range of semiconductor photocatalysts have been used over the years in water treatment to eliminate toxic organic substances from wastewater. The quest for visible or solar light driven photocatalysts with striking merits such as wide range of applications, ease of preparation, tailored architecture that gives rise to improved performance, ability of dual existence as both p type or n type semiconductor, among others, presents copper(i) oxide as a promising photocatalyst. This paper reviews the recent applications of CuO in photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic treatment of water laden with organic pollutants such as dyes and pharmaceuticals.

Towards visible light driven photoelectrocatalysis for water treatment: Application of a FTO/BiVO/AgS heterojunction anode for the removal of emerging pharmaceutical pollutants.

Pharmaceuticals have been classified as emerging water pollutants which are recalcitrant in nature. In the quest to find a suitable technique in removing them from contaminated water, photoelectrocatalytic oxidation method has attracted much attention in recent years. This report examined the feasibility of degrading ciprofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole through photoelectrocatalytic oxidation using FTO-BiVO/AgS with p-n heterojunction as anode.

Solar-Light-Responsive Titanium-Sheet-Based Carbon Nanoparticles/B-BiVO/WO Photoanode for the Photoelectrocatalytic Degradation of Orange II Dye Water Pollutant.

We report the preparation and application of a heterostructured photoelectrocatalyst comprising carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) and boron codoped BiVO and WO for the removal of an organic dye pollutant in water. The materials, synthesized by hydrothermal method, were characterized by X-ray diffraction, diffuse reflectance UV-visible spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and electron microscopy. The catalysts were immobilized on treated titanium sheets by drop-casting.

Switching Anionic and Cationic Semipermeability in Partially Hydrolyzed Polyacrylonitrile: A pH-Tunable Ionic Rectifier.

Membrane materials with semipermeability for anions or for cations are of interest in electrochemical and nanofluidic separation and purification technologies. In this study, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile (phPAN) is investigated as a pH-switchable anion/cation conductor. When switching from anionic to cationic semipermeability, also the ionic current rectification effect switches for phPAN materials deposited asymmetrically onto a 5, 10, 20, or 40 μm diameter microhole in a 6 μm thick polyethylene-terephthalate (PET) film substrate.

Simultaneous determination of cholesterol, ascorbic acid and uric acid as three essential biological compounds at a carbon paste electrode modified with copper oxide decorated reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite and ionic liquid.

In this article, we report the simultaneous determination cholesterol (CL), ascorbic (AA) acid and uric acid (UA) at a carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with copper oxide decorated reduced graphene (CuO-rGR), with 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (1M3OIDTFB) as a binder. The electrode, CuO-rGR/1M3OIDTFB/CPE, showed remarkable sensitivities towards the determination of the analytes, and well defined and clearly separated oxidation peaks were obtained during their simultaneous analysis in a buffer solution at pH 7.4.

The determination of 2-phenylphenol in the presence of 4-chlorophenol using nano-FeO/ionic liquid paste electrode as an electrochemical sensor.

A voltammetric sensor was fabricated for the determination of 2-phenylphenol (2-PP) as a water pollutant. The sensor was prepared by modifying carbon paste electrode (CPE) with a composite of FeO nanoparticles (FeO-NPs) and ionic liquid (n-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate; (HMPF)). The FeO-NPs was synthesized by co-precipitation and characterized by FESEM, MAP, AFM and XRD methods.