Promoting the role of Fe doping in WO3 toward enhancing H2O2 oxidation ability for contaminant degradation

Abstract

The WO3 semiconductor emerges as a photocatalytic material of remarkable potential in harnessing solar radiation absorption capabilities, with promising applications in the photocatalytic treatment of organic compounds. Nonetheless, a primary limitation in the fast recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes is caused by an ill-suited ECBM energy level, resulting in electrons not reacting with dissolved oxygen. In this study, Fe-doped WO3 is used to improve the energy band structure and enhance H2O2 oxidative activation. Results demonstrated strong photocatalytic activity in degrading ciprofloxacin antibiotic (CIP 40 ppm) and rhodamine B dye (RhB 40 ppm) with 74.1 % of CIP and a staggering 92.8 % of RhB being decomposed after 180 min of visible light irradiation. By some empirical investigations, we also demonstrated the role of Fe doping into WO3 has significantly enhanced the oxidative properties of holes, effectively trapping photogenerated electrons and activating crucial reactions such as Fenton, like Fenton, and Haber-Weiss. This pioneering research not only presents a compelling solution for the treatment of stubborn organic compounds but also unveils a groundbreaking strategy to enhance the photocatalytic activity of semiconductors plagued by the weak reducing power of photogenerated electrons.
L.T., Nguyen, Luan The; A.T.T., Pham, Anh Tuan Thanh; T.T., Vo, Tinh Thanh; K.T., Le, Khoa Tien; N.H., Vu, Nam Hoang; V., Van Pham, Viet,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.108503