Emerging organic contaminants have recently been recognized as a threat to human health and the ecosystem. Glyphosate, a widely used herbicide, has been linked to several adverse effects on human health, including cancer and kidney and liver diseases. In this research poster, we describe the development of a visible light-activated photocatalyst for the sustainable degradation of glyphosate in contaminated water. We synthesized Cu2O/BiOBr heterostructured nanocomposite using a surfactant-assisted hydrothermal method. The size, composition, morphology, and structure of the material were characterized by electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, BET surface area, and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The activity of the Cu2O/BiOBr photocatalyst was evaluated in the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B and methyl orange as models of cationic and anionic organic contaminants, respectively. The photocatalyst demonstrated substantial activity in the degradation of methyl orange by a combined effect of adsorption in dark and photocatalysis. The activity of an optimized heterostructure of Cu2O/BiOBr photocatalyst was investigated in the photocatalytic degradation of glyphosate. The mechanism of glyphosate degradation was investigated in dark and under light irradiation in the presence of various radical scavengers via HPLC-IC analysis. Using total organic carbon (TOC) analysis, it was elucidated that the heterostructured Cu<sub>2</sub>O/BiOBr photocatalyst demonstrated rapid mineralization of glyphosate.

Heterostructured Cu<sub>2</sub>O/BiOBr nanocomposite for photocatalytic degradation of emerging organic contaminants

Where thousands of chemistry professionals meet to share ideas and advance scientific and technical knowledge. Spring 2023 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch at the end of March.

ACS Spring 2023

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

Heterostructured Cu2O/BiOBr nanocomposite for photocatalytic degradation of emerging organic contaminants

Heterostructured Cu₂O/BiOBr nanocomposite for photocatalytic degradation of emerging organic contaminants