Photocatalytic Degradation of Thiacloprid Using Tri-Doped TiO<sub>2</sub> Photocatalysts: A Preliminary Comparative Study

Different tri-doped TiO<sub>2</sub> photocatalysts (Fe-N-P/TiO<sub>2</sub>, Fe-N-S/TiO<sub>2</sub>, Fe-Pr-N/TiO<sub>2</sub>, Pr-N-S/TiO<sub>2</sub>, and P-N-S/TiO<sub>2</sub>) were successfully prepared and tested in the photoca...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Antonietta Mancuso, Wanda Navarra, Olga Sacco, Stefania Pragliola, Vincenzo Vaiano, Vincenzo Venditto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-07-01
Series:Catalysts
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/11/8/927
Description
Summary:Different tri-doped TiO<sub>2</sub> photocatalysts (Fe-N-P/TiO<sub>2</sub>, Fe-N-S/TiO<sub>2</sub>, Fe-Pr-N/TiO<sub>2</sub>, Pr-N-S/TiO<sub>2</sub>, and P-N-S/TiO<sub>2</sub>) were successfully prepared and tested in the photocatalytic removal of thiacloprid (THI) under UV-A, visible, and direct solar light irradiation. The physical-chemical properties of the prepared catalysts were analyzed by different characterization techniques, revealing that dopants are effectively incorporated into the anatase TiO<sub>2</sub> lattice, resulting in a decrease of the energy band gap. The reduction of photoluminescence intensity indicates a lower combination rate and longer lifespan of photogenerated carriers of all doped samples in comparison with the un-doped TiO<sub>2</sub>. The doped photocatalysts not only significantly promote the photodegradation under UV-A light irradiation but also extend the optical response of TiO<sub>2</sub> to visible light region, and consequently improve the visible light degradation of THI. Fe-N-P tri-doped TiO<sub>2</sub> sample exhibits the highest THI photodegradation degree (64% under UV-A light, 29% under visible light and 73% under solar light).
ISSN:2073-4344