SnS<sub>2</sub>-TiO<sub>2</sub> Heterojunction Designed for Reductive Degradation of Contaminants of Emerging Concern
Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), including pharmaceuticals and perfluorinated compounds, pose a growing threat to water quality due to their persistence and resistance to conventional treatment methods. In this context, photocatalytic processes capable of promoting both oxidative and reducti...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Nanomaterials |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/13/969 |
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| author | Suresh Kumar Pandey Sandra Romac Josipa Papac Zjačić Marijana Kraljić Roković Marin Kovačić Hrvoje Kušić Boštjan Žener Boštjan Genorio Urška Lavrenčič Štangar Ana Lončarić Božić |
| author_facet | Suresh Kumar Pandey Sandra Romac Josipa Papac Zjačić Marijana Kraljić Roković Marin Kovačić Hrvoje Kušić Boštjan Žener Boštjan Genorio Urška Lavrenčič Štangar Ana Lončarić Božić |
| author_sort | Suresh Kumar Pandey |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), including pharmaceuticals and perfluorinated compounds, pose a growing threat to water quality due to their persistence and resistance to conventional treatment methods. In this context, photocatalytic processes capable of promoting both oxidative and reductive transformations have attracted increasing attention. This study explores the synthesis and performance of a SnS<sub>2</sub>-TiO<sub>2</sub> heterojunction photocatalyst, designed to facilitate such reactions under solar and UV-A light. The composite was synthesized via the hydrothermal method and thoroughly characterized for its morphological, structural, surface, and semiconducting properties. The results confirmed the formation of a type-II heterojunction with improved visible-light absorption and suppressed charge recombination. Photoelectrochemical measurements indicated enhanced charge separation and favorable band-edge alignment for reductive processes. Photocatalytic experiments with amoxicillin (AMX) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) revealed distinct degradation behaviors: AMX was predominantly degraded via superoxide-mediated reductive pathways, whereas PFOA exhibited limited transformation, likely proceeding via a combination of oxidative and reductive mechanisms. While overall removal efficiencies were moderate, this study highlights the role of band structure engineering and heterojunction design in tailoring photocatalytic behavior. The SnS<sub>2</sub>-TiO<sub>2</sub> system serves as a promising platform for further development of composite materials to address the challenge of CECs in water treatment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e86e7323c67a4830815a6ae17248e5f2 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2079-4991 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nanomaterials |
| spelling | doaj-art-e86e7323c67a4830815a6ae17248e5f22025-08-20T03:28:32ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912025-06-01151396910.3390/nano15130969SnS<sub>2</sub>-TiO<sub>2</sub> Heterojunction Designed for Reductive Degradation of Contaminants of Emerging ConcernSuresh Kumar Pandey0Sandra Romac1Josipa Papac Zjačić2Marijana Kraljić Roković3Marin Kovačić4Hrvoje Kušić5Boštjan Žener6Boštjan Genorio7Urška Lavrenčič Štangar8Ana Lončarić Božić9Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, Trg Marka Marulića 19, HR-10000 Zagreb, CroatiaFaculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, Trg Marka Marulića 19, HR-10000 Zagreb, CroatiaFaculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, Trg Marka Marulića 19, HR-10000 Zagreb, CroatiaFaculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, Trg Marka Marulića 19, HR-10000 Zagreb, CroatiaFaculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, Trg Marka Marulića 19, HR-10000 Zagreb, CroatiaFaculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, Trg Marka Marulića 19, HR-10000 Zagreb, CroatiaFaculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 113, SI-1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaFaculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 113, SI-1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaFaculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 113, SI-1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaFaculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, Trg Marka Marulića 19, HR-10000 Zagreb, CroatiaContaminants of emerging concern (CECs), including pharmaceuticals and perfluorinated compounds, pose a growing threat to water quality due to their persistence and resistance to conventional treatment methods. In this context, photocatalytic processes capable of promoting both oxidative and reductive transformations have attracted increasing attention. This study explores the synthesis and performance of a SnS<sub>2</sub>-TiO<sub>2</sub> heterojunction photocatalyst, designed to facilitate such reactions under solar and UV-A light. The composite was synthesized via the hydrothermal method and thoroughly characterized for its morphological, structural, surface, and semiconducting properties. The results confirmed the formation of a type-II heterojunction with improved visible-light absorption and suppressed charge recombination. Photoelectrochemical measurements indicated enhanced charge separation and favorable band-edge alignment for reductive processes. Photocatalytic experiments with amoxicillin (AMX) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) revealed distinct degradation behaviors: AMX was predominantly degraded via superoxide-mediated reductive pathways, whereas PFOA exhibited limited transformation, likely proceeding via a combination of oxidative and reductive mechanisms. While overall removal efficiencies were moderate, this study highlights the role of band structure engineering and heterojunction design in tailoring photocatalytic behavior. The SnS<sub>2</sub>-TiO<sub>2</sub> system serves as a promising platform for further development of composite materials to address the challenge of CECs in water treatment.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/13/969SnS<sub>2</sub>-TiO<sub>2</sub> compositesolar photocatalysiscontaminants of emerging concernreductive degradation |
| spellingShingle | Suresh Kumar Pandey Sandra Romac Josipa Papac Zjačić Marijana Kraljić Roković Marin Kovačić Hrvoje Kušić Boštjan Žener Boštjan Genorio Urška Lavrenčič Štangar Ana Lončarić Božić SnS<sub>2</sub>-TiO<sub>2</sub> Heterojunction Designed for Reductive Degradation of Contaminants of Emerging Concern Nanomaterials SnS<sub>2</sub>-TiO<sub>2</sub> composite solar photocatalysis contaminants of emerging concern reductive degradation |
| title | SnS<sub>2</sub>-TiO<sub>2</sub> Heterojunction Designed for Reductive Degradation of Contaminants of Emerging Concern |
| title_full | SnS<sub>2</sub>-TiO<sub>2</sub> Heterojunction Designed for Reductive Degradation of Contaminants of Emerging Concern |
| title_fullStr | SnS<sub>2</sub>-TiO<sub>2</sub> Heterojunction Designed for Reductive Degradation of Contaminants of Emerging Concern |
| title_full_unstemmed | SnS<sub>2</sub>-TiO<sub>2</sub> Heterojunction Designed for Reductive Degradation of Contaminants of Emerging Concern |
| title_short | SnS<sub>2</sub>-TiO<sub>2</sub> Heterojunction Designed for Reductive Degradation of Contaminants of Emerging Concern |
| title_sort | sns sub 2 sub tio sub 2 sub heterojunction designed for reductive degradation of contaminants of emerging concern |
| topic | SnS<sub>2</sub>-TiO<sub>2</sub> composite solar photocatalysis contaminants of emerging concern reductive degradation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/13/969 |
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