Performance optimization of CdS precipitated graphene oxide/polyacrylic acid composite for efficient photodegradation of chlortetracycline

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials 2020-04, Vol.388, p.121780, Article 121780
• Main Authors: Kong, Wenjia, Gao, Yue, Yue, Qinyan, Li, Qian, Gao, Baoyu, Kong, Yan, Wang, Xindong, Zhang, Ping, Wang, Yu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acrylic Resins - chemistry; Acrylic Resins - radiation effects; Anti-Bacterial Agents - chemistry; Cadmium Compounds - chemistry; Cadmium Compounds - radiation effects; CdS nanocomposites; Chemical Precipitation; Chlortetracycline; Chlortetracycline - chemistry; Graphite - chemistry; Graphite - radiation effects; Light; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Nanoparticles - radiation effects; Photocatalytic; Photolysis; Sulfides - chemistry; Sulfides - radiation effects; Visible light; Water Purification
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121780

[Display omitted] •GO/PAA-CdS was prepared by facile polymerization-precipitation method.•GO/PAA-CdS showed excellent photocatalytic activity to CTC under visible light.•The polymer network favored the size control and distribution of CdS nanoparticles.•DFT calculation helped to predict reactive sites and degradation pathways of CTC. Here a CdS embedded poly acrylic acid (PAA)/graphene oxide (GO) polymeric composite was prepared for the efficient degradation of chlortetracycline (CTC) driven by visible light irradiation. The structure-activity relationship of GO/PAA-CdS was confirmed through the photocatalytic evaluation of a series of samples prepared by varying GO concentration, molar ratio of Cd:S and the amount of crosslinking agent. Through the composition, morphology, photoelectrochemical characterizations and degradation kinetic studies, it could be confirmed that the enhanced photocatalytic activity is attributed to the controlled growth of CdS nanoparticles by polymer net structure and effective electron transfer along GO nanosheets. The photodegradation of CTC was confirmed to be mainly governed by O2− and OH radicals generated from GO/PAA-CdS. The degradation intermediates of CTC were confirmed by LC–MS, and possible degradation pathways were proposed based on the prediction of radical attacking sites according to Fukui function values obtained through Density Functional Theory (DFT). Moreover, it was found that the catalytic activity of the photocatalyst was maintained after several cycles confirming the enhanced anti-photocorrosion of GO/PAA-CdS. This research provided an efficient approach by a novel photocatalyst for the removal of CTC from wastewater.