Piezoelectric Effect-Mediating Reactive Oxygen Species in NiTiO3 Nanorods for Photocatalytic Removal of U(VI)

• Published in: Inorganic chemistry Vol. 63; no. 35; pp. 16233 - 16242
• Main Authors: Chen, Junjie, Wang, Yaoxuan, Zeng, Dongling, Li, Zifan, Pei, Haonan, Cao, Xiaohong, Wang, Youqun, Dong, Zhimin, Zhang, Zhibin, Liu, Yunhai
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Chemical Society 02.09.2024
• ISSN: 0020-1669; 1520-510X; 1520-510X
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.4c02096

Piezoelectric catalysis could convert mechanical energy into chemical energy, which can combine with solar energy for a high-efficiency piezo-photocatalysis reaction. In this work, NiTiO3 nanorods were synthesized via the sol–gel method and initially employed for the removal of U­(VI) from radioactive-contaminated water. The NiTiO3 nanorods will generate an internal electric field in an ultrasonic environment, which could greatly improve the performance of piezo-photocatalysis in reducing U­(VI) by promoting the generation of photoexcited electrons and reactive oxygen species (ROS). After exposure to visible light and ultrasound for 3 h, the NTO-R-1 exhibited superb U­(VI) degradation efficiency of 93.91%, which was 2.58, 6.15, and 6.68 times greater than those of visible light, ultrasonic irradiation, and dark, respectively. Moreover, photoexcited electrons and oxygen-active species play a decisive role in the piezo-photocatalysis process. Therefore, NiTiO3 with excellent piezo-photocatalysis properties exhibits good potential for the development of efficient wastewater purification catalysts and also helps to probe the possible mechanism of piezo-photocatalysis removal of U­(VI) in wastewater.