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Synthesis of Novel CuS-Bi2WO6/CNFs Ternary Heterojunctions for the Photocatalytic Reduction of Cr (VI) in Wastewater

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Abstract

Chromium is a common heavy metal contaminant that is widely used in various industrial processes. CuS-Bi2WO6/CNFs composite photocatalysts with different CNFs(active carbon nanofibers) content were prepared by solvothermal method to improve the reduction of hexvalent chromium under visible light irradiation. The samples underwent characterization using XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, UV–Vis, PL, and photocurrent techniques to analyze their crystal shape, morphology, structure, elemental composition, surface functional groups, and optical properties. Additionally, the photocatalytic reduction activity of Cr(VI) was investigated. The findings demonstrated a notably enhanced photocatalytic activity in CuS-Bi2WO6/CNFs composites compared to CuS, Bi2WO6, and CuS-Bi2WO6 individually. In the presence of visible light, 1% CuS-Bi2WO6/CNFs showed excellent photocatalytic activity for Cr(VI) reduction, with a reduction rate of 98% within 3 h. Furthermore, after four cycles, the 1% CuS-Bi2WO6/CNFs composite demonstrated consistent stability and recyclability. Additionally, an active group capture experiment revealed the involvement of hydroxyl radicals (•OH), photogenerated holes (h+), and superoxide radicals (•O2−) in the reduction of Cr(VI) by CuS-Bi2WO6/CNFs, with •O2− emerging as the primary active species in the system. Based on these findings, we investigated the photocatalytic reaction mechanism. This study underscores the feasibility of preparing CuS-Bi2WO6/CNFs through a straightforward and manageable solvothermal approach, affirming the promising potential of CuS-Bi2WO6/CNFs composites in hexavalent chromium treatment.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Fujian University of Technology and Fuzhou University : Department of Environmental Engineering.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environmental and Safety Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350100, People’s Republic of China

    Xi Lin

  2. School of Ecological Environment and Urban Construction, Fujian University of Technology, Fuzhou, 350100, People’s Republic of China

    Jiuying Shen & Xinzhong Liu

  3. School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, People’s Republic of China

    Runyu Liu

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  1. Xi Lin
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Contributions

Xi Lin: Investigation, Methodology, Writing – original draft, Formal analysis (first author). Jiuying Shen: Methodology, Investigation, Writing – review & editing. Runyu Liu: Methodology, Validation, Formal analysis. Xinzhong Liu: Conceptualization, Validation, Resources, Writing – review & editing, Supervision, Project administration, Funding acquisition (corresponding author).

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Correspondence to Xinzhong Liu.

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Highlights

1. Novel CuS-Bi2WO6/CNFs composite photocatalysts.

2. Photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI).

3. Z-scheme heterojunction charge transfer mechanism was constructed.

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Lin, X., Shen, J., Liu, R. et al. Synthesis of Novel CuS-Bi2WO6/CNFs Ternary Heterojunctions for the Photocatalytic Reduction of Cr (VI) in Wastewater. Water Air Soil Pollut 235, 317 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-024-07126-0

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