Issue 8, 2021

3D structure aerogels constructed by reduced graphene oxide and hollow TiO2 spheres for efficient visible-light-driven photoreduction of U(vi) in air-equilibrated wastewater

Abstract

Photocatalysis-assisted transition of uranium from the soluble U(VI) to the insoluble U(IV) is an efficient strategy for eliminating uranium. Herein, a novel 3D structure composite aerogel (3D RGO@TiO2) was applied to photoreduction of U(VI) under visible light. The introduction of RGO could expand the light absorption region and facilitate efficient charge separation of 3D RGO@TiO2. Therefore, 3D RGO@TiO2-3 (where the mass ratio of GO and H-TiO2 was 1 : 1) achieved the greatest U(VI) reduction rate (0.03752 min−1) that is almost five times higher than that of RGO. Meanwhile, the reaction between photogenerated electrons and superoxide radicals ˙O2 played the dominant role in reducing U(VI) to (UO2)O2·2H2O in air-equilibrated wastewater. This study not only provides new insights into remediation of the radioactive environment but also proves the application prospect of the 3D RGO@TiO2 in the photocatalytic field.

Graphical abstract: 3D structure aerogels constructed by reduced graphene oxide and hollow TiO2 spheres for efficient visible-light-driven photoreduction of U(vi) in air-equilibrated wastewater

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
08 Mar 2021
Accepted
05 Jun 2021
First published
17 Jun 2021

Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2021,8, 2372-2385

3D structure aerogels constructed by reduced graphene oxide and hollow TiO2 spheres for efficient visible-light-driven photoreduction of U(VI) in air-equilibrated wastewater

Z. Dong, Z. Zhang, Z. Li, Y. Feng, W. Dong, T. Wang, Z. Cheng, Y. Wang, Y. Dai, X. Cao, Y. Liu and Y. Liu, Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2021, 8, 2372 DOI: 10.1039/D1EN00217A

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