A sustainable solution for diclofenac degradation from water by heterojunction bimetallic nanocatalyst

• Published in: Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers 2025-01, Vol.166, p.105096, Article 105096
• Main Authors: Dihingia, Himangshu, Pathak, Sandhya, Lalmalsawmdawngliani, Lalhmunsiama, Tiwari, Diwakar, Kim, Dong-Jin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Green synthesis; Nanocatalyst; Novel bimetallic catalyst; Photo-Fenton process; Visible light irradiation
• ISSN: 1876-1070
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jtice.2023.105096

•Novel and facile synthesis of clay supported nano-catalyst BN@[Fe(NPs)+Ag(NPs)].•Nanocomposite catalyst efficient in the removal of diclofenac sodium.•Plausible mechanism was deduced in the degradation of diclofenac sodium.•Highly stable and efficient catalyst selective in photo-Fenton like processes. Diclofenac (DCF), a recalcitrant pharmaceutical compound, poses severe environmental concerns due to several health hazards. The Fenton, photo-Fenton, and photo-Fenton-like processes are popular advanced oxidation processes for eliminating toxins from water bodies. Due to its high reactivity and surface properties, nanotechnology has opened newer technological advances in the Fenton-like advanced treatment processes. A facile and one-pot synthesis produces the nanocomposite materials. The natural phytochemicals, in situ, produce the nanoparticles of Fe(NPs) and Ag(NPs), and bentonite is supported with these nanoparticles to create an innovative heterojunction nanocatalyst BN@(Fe(NPs)+(AgNPs)). Additionally, the batch investigations utilize these materials in the photo-Fenton-like degradation of diclofenac in aqueous mediums. The heterojunction nanocatalyst showed synergistic effects in the remediation of DCF. The nanocatalyst is highly efficient in degrading the DCF (2.0 mg L−1) and removes 83 and 70% of DCF within 2 h under UV-A and LED light irradiations, respectively. Interestingly, the degradation process mineralizes DCF to 74% under UV-A irradiation. Moreover, degrading DCF in a heterogeneous light-assisted Fenton-like process was favorably influenced by increased Fe(II) concentration in the bulk solution. The BN@(Fe(NPs)+Ag(NPs)) nanocatalyst possessed reasonably high stability and reusability for practical applications. Further, the nanocatalyst showed relatively high selectivity in the degradation of DCF using two different natural water samples. [Display omitted]