Journal article
Electrospun TiO 2 /carbon composite nanofibers as effective (photo)electrodes for removal and transformation of recalcitrant water contaminants
Environmental science. Advances, Vol.2(7), pp.967-981
07/01/2023
DOI: 10.1039/D3VA00017F
Appears in UI Libraries Support Open Access
Abstract
Electrochemical (EC) and photoelectrochemical (PEC) water treatment systems are gaining popularity, necessitating new electrode materials that offer reliable performance across diverse application platforms. For applications specifically targeting dilute chemical pollutants ( i.e. , parts-per-million concentrations or less), beneficial electrode properties include high surface area to overcome kinetic overpotential losses, low electrode areal electrical resistance, and high water permeability with sufficient mechanical strength for use in electroactive membrane-based treatment systems. Here, we used electrospinning to fabricate (photo)electrodes from carbon nanofibers (CNFs) containing titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanoparticles. Optimal CNF/TiO 2 composites were electrochemically and photochemically active with a surface area of ∼50 m 2 g −1 and electrode areal resistance of 2.66 Ω cm 2 , values comparable to commercial carbon-based electrode materials ( e.g. , Kynol Activated Carbon Cloth). Transformation experiments with carbamazepine (CBZ), a recalcitrant organic contaminant, suggest CNF/TiO 2 electrodes function dually as sorbents, first binding CBZ prior to oxidation at positive applied potentials. Complete CBZ transformation was observed in both EC (dark) and PEC (UV light; 280 mW cm −2 ) systems over 90 minutes, with PEC systems exhibiting 1.5-fold higher transformation rates ( k obs ∼ 0.18 min −1 ) at +1.00 V ( vs. Ag/AgCl). Composite electrodes also exhibited stability across repeated use, yielding consistent current densities over five experimental cycles (120 min each) of CBZ transformation (0.25 ± 0.03 mA cm −2 ). Because of their high surface area, electrical conductivity, photoactivity, and electrochemical stability, these electrospun CNF/TiO 2 composites represent promising (photo)electrode alternatives for diverse EC and PEC applications.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Electrospun TiO 2 /carbon composite nanofibers as effective (photo)electrodes for removal and transformation of recalcitrant water contaminants
- Creators
- Ashley Hesterberg Butzlaff - University of IowaMadeline Jensen - University of IowaChenxu Yan - The University of Texas at AustinAbdulsattar Ghanim - Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa 52242, USACharles Werth - The University of Texas at AustinDavid Cwiertny - Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa 52242, USASyed Mubeen - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Environmental science. Advances, Vol.2(7), pp.967-981
- DOI
- 10.1039/D3VA00017F
- ISSN
- 2754-7000
- eISSN
- 2754-7000
- Publisher
- Royal Society of Chemistry
- Grant note
- DOI: 10.13039/100000001, name: National Science Foundation, award: 1705255, 1706797, 1633098
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 2023
- Date published
- 07/01/2023
- Academic Unit
- Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination; Civil and Environmental Engineering; Public Policy Center (Archive); Chemistry; Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
- Record Identifier
- 9984419455702771
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