Plasmon-enabled degradation of organic micropollutants in water by visible-light illumination of Janus gold nanorods.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
; 117(27): 15473-15481, 2020 07 07.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32571948
ABSTRACT
The development of sustainable methods for the degradation of pollutants in water is an ongoing critical challenge. Anthropogenic organic micropollutants such as pharmaceuticals, present in our water supplies in trace quantities, are currently not remediated by conventional treatment processes. Here, we report an initial demonstration of the oxidative degradation of organic micropollutants using specially designed nanoparticles and visible-wavelength sunlight. Gold "Janus" nanorods (Au JNRs), partially coated with silica to enhance their colloidal stability in aqueous solutions while also maintaining a partially uncoated Au surface to facilitate photocatalysis, were synthesized. Au JNRs were dispersed in an aqueous solution containing peroxydisulfate (PDS), where oxidative degradation of both simulant and actual organic micropollutants was observed. Photothermal heating, light-induced hot electron-driven charge transfer, and direct electron shuttling under dark conditions all contribute to the observed oxidation chemistry. This work not only provides an ideal platform for studying plasmonic photochemistry in aqueous medium but also opens the door for nanoengineered, solar-based methods to remediate recalcitrant micropollutants in water supplies.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Fotólise
/
Luz Solar
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Poluentes Químicos da Água
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Poluição Química da Água
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Nanopartículas Metálicas
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
Ano de publicação:
2020
Tipo de documento:
Article