Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

In situ growth of carbon nitride on titanium dioxide/hemp stem biochar toward 2D heterostructured photocatalysts for highly photocatalytic activity

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this work, hierarchical structure TiO2/hemp stem biochar carbon (HSBC) and C3N4-TiO2/HSBC were successfully fabricated, which were used as efficient visible-light photocatalyst degradation for ammonia nitrogen from aqueous solution. The as-prepared C3N4-TiO2/HSBC hybrid catalyst showed the higher efficient photocatalytic activity for decomposition of ammonia nitrogen than those of pure TiO2 and TiO2/HSBC, suggesting suppressed recombination of photogenerated charges and promoted mass transfer due to synergistic effect, and thus increased photocatalytic degradation activity. The degradation of ammonia follows a pseudo-first-order kinetics. All prepared catalysts demonstrated extremely photocatalytic efficiency under visible-light and UV light illumination; the ammonia nitrogen photocatalytic degradation activity of C3N4-TiO2/HSBC can reach 90.3% under UV light while the degradation activity achieved about 50.7% under visible-light irradiation. The results revealed that the h+ was dominantly active intermediates in the process of photocatalytic degradation. The prepared catalysts are promising for the degradation of ammonia nitrogen from water resource.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adhikari SP, Pant HR, Han JK, Chan HP, Kim CS (2015) Deposition of ZnO flowers on the surface of g-C3N4 sheets via hydrothermal process. Ceram Int 41:12923–12929

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ali I, Park S, Kim J-O (2020) Modeling the photocatalytic reactions of g-C3N4-TiO2 nanocomposites in a recirculating semi-batch reactor. J Alloys Compd 821:153498

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cao M, Wang P, Ao Y, Wang C, Hou J, Qian J (2015) Photocatalytic degradation of tetrabromobisphenol A by a magnetically separable graphene–TiO2 composite photocatalyst: mechanism and intermediates analysis. Chem Eng J 264:113–124

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen C, Ma T, Shang Y, Gao B, Jin B, Dan H, Li Q, Yue Q, Li Y, Wang Y, Xu X (2019) In-situ pyrolysis of Enteromorpha as carbocatalyst for catalytic removal of organic contaminants: considering the intrinsic N/Fe in Enteromorpha and non-radical reaction. Appl Catal B Environ 250:382–395

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chi L, Qian Y, Guo J, Wang X, Arandiyan H, Jiang Z (2019) Novel g-C3N4/TiO2/PAA/PTFE ultrafiltration membrane enabling enhanced antifouling and exceptional visible-light photocatalytic self-cleaning. Catal Today 335:527–537

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Değermenci N, Ata ON, Yildız E (2012) Ammonia removal by air stripping in a semi-batch jet loop reactor. J Ind Eng Chem 18:399–404

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duan P, Ma T, Yue Y, Li Y, Zhang X, Shang Y, Gao B, Zhang Q, Yue Q, Xu X (2019) Fe/Mn nanoparticles encapsulated nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes as peroxymonosulfate activator for acetamiprid degradation. Environ Sci: Nano 6:1799–1811

  • Duan P, Qi Y, Feng S, Peng X, Wang W, Yue Y, Shang Y, Li Y, Gao B, Xu X (2020) Enhanced degradation of clothianidin in peroxymonosulfate/catalyst system via core-shell FeMn @N-C and phosphate surrounding. Appl Catal B Environ 267:118717

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hassani A, Khataee A, Karaca S, Karaca C, Gholami P (2016) Sonocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin using synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles on montmorillonite. Ultrason Sonochem 35:251–262

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hou Y, Wen Z, Cui S, Guo X, Chen J (2013) Constructing 2D porous graphitic C3N4 nanosheets/nitrogen-doped graphene/layered MoS2 ternary nanojunction with enhanced photoelectrochemical activity. Adv Mater 25:6291–6297

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hu M, Xing Z, Cao Y, Li Z, Yan X, Xiu Z, Zhao T, Yang S, Zhou W (2018) Ti3+ self-doped mesoporous black TiO2/SiO2/g-C3N4 sheets heterojunctions as remarkable visible-lightdriven photocatalysts. Appl Catal B Environ 226:499–508

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang L, Li L, Dong W, Liu Y, Hou H (2008) Removal of ammonia by OH radical in aqueous phase. Environ Sci Technol 42:8070–8075

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jang YJ, Jang YH, Kim DH (2015) Nanostructured carbon-TiO2 shells onto silica beads as a promising candidate for the alternative photoanode in dye-sensitized solar cells. Sci Adv Mater 7:956–963

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang G, Cao J, Chen M, Zhang X, Dong F (2018) Photocatalytic NO oxidation on N-doped TiO2/g-C3N4 heterojunction: enhanced efficiency, mechanism and reaction pathway. Appl Surf Sci 458:77–85

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim JR, Kan E (2016) Heterogeneous photocatalytic degradation of sulfamethoxazole in water using a biochar-supported TiO2 photocatalyst. J Environ Manag 180:94–101

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li J, Tang J, Yi H, Yu Q, Gao F, Zhang R, Li C, Chu C (2017) Effects of copper-precursors on the catalytic activity of Cu/graphene catalysts for the selective catalytic oxidation of ammonia. Applied Surface Science 412:37–44

  • Li C, Yu S, Dong H, Liu C, Wu H, Che H, Chen G (2018) Z-scheme mesoporous photocatalyst constructed by modification of Sn3O4 nanoclusters on g-C3N4 nanosheets with improved photocatalytic performance and mechanism insight. Appl Catal B Environ 238:284–293

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu Q, Chen T, Guo Y, Zhang Z, Fang X (2016) Ultrathin g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets coupled with carbon nanodots as 2D/0D composites for efficient photocatalytic H 2 evolution. Appl Catal B Environ 193:248–258

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu C, Chen J, Che H, Huang K, Charpentier PA, Xu WZ, Shi W, Dong HJ (2017) Construction and enhanced photocatalytic activities of a hydrogenated TiO 2 nanobelt coated with CDs/MoS2 nanosheets. RSC Adv 7:8429–8442

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu C, Dong S, Chen Y (2019) Enhancement of visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity of carbon plane/g-C3N4/TiO2 nanocomposite by improving heterojunction contact. Chem Eng J 371:706–718

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Luan S, Dan Q, Li A, Jiang W, Xiang G, Hua S, Xiang M, Wen Y, Sun Z (2018) Enhancing photocatalytic performance by constructing ultrafine TiO2 nanorods/g-C3N4 nanosheets heterojunction for water treatment. Sci Bull 63:683–690

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mrd K, Shafeeyan MS, Aaa R, Wmaw D (2017) Application of doped photocatalysts for organic pollutant degradation - a review. J Environ Manag 198:78–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Narayana RL, Matheswaran M, Aziz AA, Saravanan P (2011) Photocatalytic decolourization of basic green dye by pure and Fe, Co doped TiO2 under daylight illumination. Desalination 269:249–253

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peng X, Hu F, Zhang T, Qiu F, Dai H (2018) Amine-functionalized magnetic bamboo-based activated carbon adsorptive removal of ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin: a batch and fixed-bed column study. Bioresour Technol 249:924–934

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peng X, Wang M, Hu F, Qiu F, Dai H, Cao Z (2019) Facile fabrication of hollow biochar carbon-doped TiO2/CuO composites for the photocatalytic degradation of ammonia nitrogen from aqueous solution. J Alloys Compd 770:1055–1063

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Purbia R, Borah R, Paria S (2017) Carbon-doped mesoporous anatase TiO multi-tubes nanostructures for highly improved visible light photocatalytic activity. Inorg Chem 56:10107–10116

  • Qi Y, Guo C, Xu X, Gao B, Yue Q, Jiang B, Qian Z, Wang C, Zhang Y (2020) Co/Fe and Co/Al layered double oxides ozone catalyst for the deep degradation of aniline: preparation, characterization and kinetic model. Sci Total Environ 715:136982

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shan AY, Ghazi TIM, Rashid SA (2010) Immobilisation of titanium dioxide onto supporting materials in heterogeneous photocatalysis: a review. Appl Catal A Gen 389:1–8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shen X, Song L, Luo L, Zhang Y, Zhu B, Liu J, Chen Z, Zhang L (2018) Preparation of TiO2/C3N4 heterojunctions on carbon-fiber cloth as efficient filter-membrane-shaped photocatalyst for removing various pollutants from the flowing wastewater. J Colloid Interface Sci 532:798–807

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Song C, Wang L, Ren J, Lv B, Sun Z, Yan J, Li X, Liu J (2016) Comparative study of diethyl phthalate degradation by UV/H2O2 and UV/TiO2: kinetics, mechanism, and effects of operational parameters. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23:2640–2650

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Song J, Huang M, Jiang N, Zheng S, Mu T, Meng L, Liu Y, Liu J, Chen G (2020) Ultrasensitive detection of amoxicillin by TiO2-g-C3N4@AuNPs impedimetric aptasensor: fabrication, optimization, and mechanism. J Hazard Mater 391:122024

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vishnuganth MA, Remya N, Kumar M, Selvaraju N (2015) Photocatalytic degradation of carbofuran by TiO2-coated activated carbon: model for kinetic, electrical energy per order and economic analysis. J Environ Manag 181:201–207

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang H, Dong S, Chang Y, Faria JL (2012) Enhancing the photocatalytic properties of TiO2 by coupling with carbon nanotubes and supporting gold. J Hazard Mater 235-236:230–236

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y, Rao L, Wang P, Shi Z, Zhang L (2020) Photocatalytic activity of N-TiO2/O-doped N vacancy g-C3N4 and the intermediates toxicity evaluation under tetracycline hydrochloride and Cr(VI) coexistence environment. Appl Catal B Environ 262:118308

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu H, Sun Q, Sun Y, Zhou Y, Wang J, Hou C, Jiang X, Liu X, Shen J (2019) Co-metabolic enhancement of 1H-1,2,4-triazole biodegradation through nitrification. Bioresour Technol 271:236–243

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yan X, Yuan K, Lu N, Xu H, Zhang S, Takeuchi N, Kobayashi H, Li R (2017) The interplay of sulfur doping and surface hydroxyl in band gap engineering: Mesoporous sulfur-doped TiO2 coupled with magnetite as a recyclable, efficient, visible light active photocatalyst for water purification. Appl Catal B Environ 218:20–31

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Y, Tang Z-R, Fu X, Xu Y-J (2010) TiO2−graphene nanocomposites for gas-phase photocatalytic degradation of volatile aromatic pollutant: is TiO2−graphene truly different from other TiO2−carbon composite materials? ACS Nano 4:7303–7314

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang L, Wu Z, Chen L, Zhang L, Li X, Xu H, Wang H, Zhu G (2016) Preparation of magnetic Fe3O4/TiO2/Ag composite microspheres with enhanced photocatalytic activity. Solid State Sci 52:42–48

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51908213, 61872141), the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province (Nos. 20192BAB216029, 20181BAB206037, 20192BCD40013), and State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse Foundation (No. PCRRF19015).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu Province, China

    Xiaoming Peng & Fengxian Qiu

  2. School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, East China Jiaotong University, Nanchang, 330013, Jiangxi Province, China

    Xiaoming Peng, Min Wang, Hongling Dai & Fengping Hu

Authors
  1. Xiaoming Peng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Min Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Hongling Dai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Fengxian Qiu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Fengping Hu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Fengping Hu.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Sami Rtimi

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Peng, X., Wang, M., Dai, H. et al. In situ growth of carbon nitride on titanium dioxide/hemp stem biochar toward 2D heterostructured photocatalysts for highly photocatalytic activity. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27, 39198–39210 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-09381-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-09381-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation