Metal borate such as cobalt borate and iron borate has recently garnered renewed interest in electrocatalytic water splitting due to their peculiar electrochemical activity in replacing conventional noble metal catalysts. Our group is currently developing borate-related nanomaterials as photocatalysts utilizing the “free” and abundant solar energy for environmental remediation. Specifically, we have successfully synthesized and characterized carbon and nitrogen-doped iron borate (C, N-doped FeBO3) and cobalt borate (CoBi) as highly effective photocatalysts in activating H2O2 (Fenton reaction) and peroxymonosulfate (PMS) in advanced oxidation processes (AOP), respectively. Herein, we will present the novel application of C, N-doped FeBO3 with 10-fold and 26-fold increased photo-Fenton activity compared to the 50 nm iron oxides nanoparticles and the non-doped FeBO3 under simulated solar irradiation. Under the optimal conditions, 10 mg of the catalyst is shown to achieve effective degradation of 10 ppm methylene blue (MB) dye, Rhodamine B (RhB) dye, and tetracycline (TC) under simulated solar irradiation within 20 minutes. Moreover, the C, N-doped FeBO3 was also found to degrade 75% of MB in the dark, allowing continuous degradation of pollutants in the dark and in areas with poor light exposure. On the other hand, the as synthesized CoBi demonstrated moderate photo-Fenton activity in a wide range of pH (3 – 7) and showed remarkable catalytic performance in activating PMS in dye degradation. While the exact mechanism of these metal borates in catalyzing these AOPs are currently underway, we believe that this study provides a facile and straightforward methodology in the preparation of a single-component catalyst with high efficiency.

Novel application of metal borates as photocatalyst in advanced oxidation process

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.