Photocatalytic reduction and scavenging of Hg(ii) over templated-dewetted Au on TiO2 nanotubes

Spanu D, Bestetti A, Hildebrand H, Schmuki P, Altomare M, Recchia S (2019)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2019

Journal

Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences Royal Society of Chemistry

Book Volume: 18

Pages Range: 1046-1055

Journal Issue: 5

DOI: 10.1039/c8pp00424b

Abstract

Gold-decorated TiO 2 nanotubes were used for the photocatalytic abatement of Hg(ii) in aqueous solutions. The presence of dewetted Au nanoparticles induces a strong enhancement of photocatalytic reduction and scavenging performances, with respect to naked TiO 2 . In the presence of chlorides, a massive formation of Hg 2 Cl 2 nanowires, produced from Au nanoparticles, was observed using highly Au loaded photocatalysts to treat a 10 ppm Hg(ii) solution. EDS and XPS confirmed the nature of the photo-produced nanowires. In the absence of chlorides and/or at lower Hg(ii) starting concentrations, the scavenging of mercury proceeds through the formation of Hg-Au amalgams. Solar light driven Hg(ii) abatements up to 90% were observed after 24 h. ICP-MS analysis revealed that the removed Hg(ii) is accumulated on the photocatalyst surface. Regeneration of Hg-loaded exhaust photocatalysts was easily performed by anodic stripping of Hg(0) and Hg(i) to Hg(ii). After four catalytic-regeneration cycles, only a 10% decrease of activity was observed.

Authors with CRIS profile

Helga Hildebrand Lehrstuhl für Werkstoffwissenschaften (Korrosion und Oberflächentechnik) (LKO) Patrik Schmuki Lehrstuhl für Werkstoffwissenschaften (Korrosion und Oberflächentechnik) (LKO) Marco Altomare Lehrstuhl für Werkstoffwissenschaften (Korrosion und Oberflächentechnik) (LKO)

Involved external institutions

University of Insubria / Università degli Studi dell'Insubria IT Italy (IT)

How to cite

APA:

Spanu, D., Bestetti, A., Hildebrand, H., Schmuki, P., Altomare, M., & Recchia, S. (2019). Photocatalytic reduction and scavenging of Hg(ii) over templated-dewetted Au on TiO2 nanotubes. Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences, 18(5), 1046-1055. https://doi.org/10.1039/c8pp00424b

MLA:

Spanu, Davide, et al. "Photocatalytic reduction and scavenging of Hg(ii) over templated-dewetted Au on TiO2 nanotubes." Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences 18.5 (2019): 1046-1055.

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