Synthesis of enhanced corrosion resistant Fe–B–C–Ti amorphous ribbons and evaluation of their photodegradation efficiency under light irradiation

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2022-01, Vol.287, p.132175-132175, Article 132175
• Main Authors: Zuo, Mingqing, Moztahida, Mokrema, Lee, Dae Sung, Yi, Seonghoon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amorphous materials; Corrosion resistance; Fenton-like reaction; Heterogeneous; Photodegradation
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132175

Fe-based amorphous alloys have been found to be very efficient in the degradation of water pollutants due to their unique atomic arrangements with long-range disordered structure. In this work, Fe–B–C–Ti amorphous ribbons were successfully synthesized and showed high catalytic efficiency in the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under simulated sunlight and across a wide pH range. The catalytic efficiency was evaluated under different conditions to optimize the degradation performance. The amorphous ribbon Fe75B10C10Ti5 was found to exhibit the highest photocatalytic activity as explained by its optical and photoelectrochemical properties. It can degrade MB completely with low Fe-leaching and significant recyclability at pH close to a neutral range (pH 5). The degradation mechanisms can be explained in terms of photocatalytic activity along with the galvanic cell effect which contributed to the efficient MB degradation. This work provides a comprehensive idea for the synthesis of amorphous alloys by optimizing their elemental composition and also explains the catalytic activity of partially crystallized regions on the ribbon surface. The significant corrosion resistance and the quick degradation of MB in a wide pH range in a recyclable manner by these easily separable and highly efficient catalysts indicate great potential for their practical application. [Display omitted] •FeBCTi ribbons with high catalytic efficiency for the degradation were synthesized.•High efficiency was attributed to the heterogeneous structures and photocatalysis.•Amorphous ribbon Fe75B10C10Ti5 gave 100% MB degradation within 4 min at pH 3.•Ti addition enhanced the corrosion resistance and the light harvesting property.