Gd-BiVO4: An efficient photoanode for pharmaceuticals degradation in contaminated waters via solar photoelectrocatalysis

Author(s)

Guardiano, Matheus Gabriel ; Gonzaga, Isabelle Maria Duarte ; Ribeiro, Lara Kelly ; Almeida, Caio Vinicius da Silva ; Mascaro, Lucia Helena

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL; v. 503, p. 13-pg., 2024-12-10.

Abstract

This study investigated Gd insertion into pristine bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) photoanodes and its influence on physical and photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties, as well as on ciprofloxacin (CIP) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX) antibiotics removal from different water samples using solar photoelectrocatalysis. The Gd insertion increased by 300 % at photocurrent compared to the pure electrode and decreased at the semiconductor recombination rate. This performance was obtained without change into monoclinic BiVO4 structure and resulted from a better Gd-BiVO4 film uniformity and a Gd effect on oxygen vacancy formation at the semiconductor bulk. Gd-BiVO4 film was applied to CIP and SMX antibiotic photoelectrodegradation, and a complete removal of both antibiotics was achieved in 20 min by applying 1 mA cm- 2 of photocurrent density and using NaCl 0.063 mol/L as supporting electrolyte. In real samples (river, lake and wastewater) the Gd-BiVO4 photoanode exhibited good performance, mainly for CIP degradation. The catalyst was recycled in 5 runs and exhibited excellent activity for degrading CIP and SMX, and it did not undergo surface composition change during the process application. Our results demonstrate that Gd insertion into the BiVO4 structure leads to a more stable and applicable photoanode for photoelectrocatalysis applications. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 23/12399-7 - Influence of rare-earth doping on the BiVO4 photoanode structure for biomass degradation and fuel cells
• Grantee: Lara Kelly Ribeiro da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Support Program for Fixating Young Doctors
• FAPESP's process: 21/14693-4 - NH3 production via N2 reduction using Fe2O3/g-C3N4/Ag photoanode and MoS2 modified GDL cathode
• Grantee: Caio Vinícius da Silva Almeida
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 23/01415-1 - Influence of rare-earth doping on the BiVO4 photoanode structure for biomass degradation and fuel cells
• Grantee: Lucia Helena Mascaro Sales
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/11986-5 - Generation and storage of New Energy: bringing technological development for the country
• Grantee: Ana Flávia Nogueira
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program
• FAPESP's process: 23/11548-9 - Energy generation from the (photo)electrocatalytic oxidation of different contaminants present in biomass
• Grantee: Matheus Gabriel Guardiano dos Santos
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 13/07296-2 - CDMF - Center for the Development of Functional Materials
• Grantee: Elson Longo da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC