Improved visible-light-driven photocatalytic removal of Bisphenol A using V2O5/WO3 decorated over Zeolite: Degradation mechanism and toxicity

Authors: MOHAN, HARSHAVARDHAN - Chonbuk National University; VADIVEL, SETHUMATHAVAN - Saveetha Institute Of Medical And Technical Sciences; LEE, SE-WON - Chonbuk National University; LIM, JEONG-MUK - Chonbuk National University; Lovanh, Nanh; PARK, YOOL-JIN - Chonbuk National University; SHIN, TAEHO - Chonbuk National University; SERALATHAN, KAMALA-KANNAN - Chonbuk National University; OH, BYUNG-TAEK - Chonbuk National University

Submitted to: Environmental Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/15/2022
Publication Date: 3/26/2022
Citation: Mohan, H., Vadivel, S., Lee, S., Lim, J., Lovanh, N.C., Park, Y., Shin, T., Seralathan, K., Oh, B. 2022. Improved visible-light-driven photocatalytic removal of Bisphenol A using V2O5/WO3 decorated over Zeolite: Degradation mechanism and toxicity. Environmental Research. 212(A). Article 113136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2022.113136.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2022.113136

Interpretive Summary: Contaminants of emerging concern are those man-made or naturally occurring chemicals which are not commonly monitored in the environment but could adversely effect the environment and the biotic communities by entering into the soil and aquatic ecosystems. The high demand for protein consumption, for example, in the ever-increasing population has put great pressure on food animal production system. To increase profit margin along with productivity, the utilization of hormones and other antibiotics to promote animal growth and reduce mortality has contributed to the emergence of resistant bacteria and endocrine disrupting chemicals in the environment. Thus it is necessary to find a simple and economical way to counter or reduce the proliferation of these emerging contaminants of concern in the environment. Nanoparticle composite with degradation or mineralization properties hold a great promise in this arena. Among the diverse metallic nanoparticle composite, vanadium and tungsten coated zeolite nano-composite (TZV) have gained more importance in the scientific community due to their ability to breakdown contaminants as well as their non-toxic properties. In this study, nontoxic, eco-friendly methods for the synthesis of metallic nanoparticle composite (TZV) sourcing from electronic wastes were carried out. The results show that TZV has a remarkable activity against an endocrine disruptor chemical and non-toxic in aquatic ecosystem tests. Therefore, the present study provides a potential eco-friendly and sustainable way for the synthesis of nanoparticle composite for environmental pollution degradation.

Technical Abstract: WO3/Zeolite/V2O5 (TZV) composite synthesized through co-precipitation was used for Bisphenol-A (BpA) degradation. The crystallinity of the compound was ascertained through X-ray diffraction and Raman spectra. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) results confirmed the absence of any free particles beyond the zeolite surface, thus ensuring the composite nature of the prepared material. The enhanced activity on doping with WO3 was ascertained by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS-UV). It is evident from the photocatalytic degradation experiments that TZV-10 is more efficient than bare V2O5. Maximum BpA degradation (100%) was achieved after 150 min of incubation with 0.75 g/L TZV-10 at an acidic pH of 3 for an initial BpA concentration of 100 mg/L. The degradation mechanism was substantiated through HPLC-MS/MS analysis. The catalyst was stable even after 9 cycles of usage. Phytotoxicity studies and lake water treatment results proved the environmental implications of the photocatalyst material.