Identifying Iron-Bearing Nanoparticle Precursor for Thermal Transformation into the Highly Active Hematite Photo-Fenton Catalyst
Funding: This reseach was funded by the European Regional Development Fund within the Activity 1.1.1.2 “Post-doctoral Research Aid” of the Specific Aid Objective 1.1.1 “To increase the research and innovative capacity of scientific institutions of Latvia and the ability to attract external financing, investing in human resources and infrastructure” of the Operational Programme “Growth and Employment” (No. 1.1.1.2/VIAA/1/16/157).
Sol-gel auto-combustion synthesis of Ca2Fe2O5 brownmillerite nanopowders and thin films for advanced oxidation photoelectrochemical water treatment in visible light
Abstract This study describes a straightforward Ca2Fe2O5 brownmillerite nanopowder and thin film synthesis by the water-based sol-gel auto-combustion method. The material characterization results confirmed the phase pure narrow bandgap Ca2Fe2O5 nanoparticle formation. The surface area of synthesized nanopowder was 13.55 m2/g. Powders at loading 1 g/l exhibit high visible light photocatalytic activity by degrading 10 mg/l methylene blue in water in 120 min confirmed by total organic carbon studies. The high visible light photocatalytic activity is related to Ca2Fe2O5 narrow band gap and high reduction potential of its conduction band which triggers the formation of superoxide radical ∙ O 2 -…
Rapid Catalytic Water Disinfection from Earth Abundant Ca 2 Fe 2 O 5 Brownmillerite
Water disinfection is a crucial challenge for humanity. Approaches that are effective, cheap, environmentally friendly, and do not promote gene exchange between bacteria are urgently required. Strongly oxidizing radicals are highly promising to achieve this as they lead to bacterial activation at high efficiencies. However, sources to consistently generate these radicals are limited to high energy UV/H2O2 treatments requiring a large energy input. Here the use of abundant, cheap, brownmillerite (Ca2Fe2O5) is demonstrated as an efficient radical generation material under dark conditions, showing a seven order of magnitude decrease in bacterial concentration over 10 min. This decrease is attr…