Integrating 3D-printed Mo2CTx-UiO-66@rGQDs nanocatalysts with semiconducting BiVO4 to improve interfacial charge transfer and photocatalytic degradation of atrazine

초록

Environmental remediation of atrazine, being a widely used herbicide from wastewater poses significant environmental challenges. The present investigation reports on the development of new approach to enhance photocatalytic degradation of atrazine by integrating a 3D-printed Mo2CTx-UiO-66@rGQDs nanocatalyst with BiVO4 semiconductor. Such synergistic combination could promote interfacial charge transfer processes, thereby improving the efficiency of the photocatalytic system. Mo2CTx, a member of MXene family, has outstanding conductivity and a large surface area, making it a potential candidate for increasing charge transport and catalytic performance. UiO-66, a metal-organic framework provides stable and porous scaffold for anchoring Mo2CTx and rGQDs (reduced graphene quantum dots) to enhance catalytic efficiency. The incorporation of BiVO4 semiconductor into the nanocomposite facilitated light absorption to extend photocatalytic activity in the visible spectrum. The 3D printed composite showed efficient atrazine degradation up to 98.19 % under the irradiation time of 120 min offering the reaction rate of 0.03135 min-1. This is accompanied by excellent recyclability of the 3D printed composite compared to the traditional powder samples. The mechanism and degradation pathway of atrazine photocatalytic process was evaluated quantitatively.

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