1. Visible-light-prompted photoelectrochemical sensors fabricated using Er3NbO7/P@g-C3N4/SnS2 nanocomposite for detecting mercury ion in environmental water samples.
- Author
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Jayapaul, Abishek, Lin, Yu-Chien, Chen, Ying-Chu, Liu, Ting-Yu, and Chung, Ren-Jei
- Subjects
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RARE earth metals , *OXIDATION-reduction reaction , *METAL detectors , *ENVIRONMENTAL sampling , *WATER sampling , *ANALYSIS of heavy metals - Abstract
Photoelectrochemical (PEC) detection technology is key for fighting pollution, leveraging the photoelectric conversion of the photoelectrode material. A specialized photoelectrode was developed to detect Hg2+ ions with exceptional sensitivity, utilizing an anodic PEC sensor composed of Er 3 NbO 7 /P@g-C 3 N 4 /SnS 2 ternary nanocomposite. Rare earth metal niobates (RENs) were chosen due to their underexplored potential, whose performance was enhanced through bandgap engineering and surface modification, facilitated by P@g-C 3 N 4 as an immobilization matrix and SnS 2 , belonging to the I-IV semiconductors category fostering hybrid heterojunction formation for boasting optical properties and suitable redox potentials. Introducing Hg2+ into the system, a specific amalgamation reaction occurs between reduced Hg and Sn. This reaction obstructs electron transfer to the FTO electrode surface, leading to the recombination of charges. The proposed PEC sensor exhibited remarkable analytical performance for Hg2+ detection, high sensitivity, a detection limit of 0.019 pM, excellent selectivity, and a detectable concentration range of 0.002–0.15 nM. Additionally, it demonstrated good recovery and low relative standard deviation when analyzing Hg2+ in water samples, highlighting the potential application of the heterostructure in detecting heavy metal ions via PEC technology. [Display omitted] • Er 3 NbO 7 /P@g-C 3 N 4 /SnS 2 was prepared by the sonochemical assisted hydrothermal method. • Er 3 NbO 7 /P@g-C 3 N 4 /SnS 2 /FTO was used for the photocatalytic detection of mercury (Hg2+). • A remarkably lower detection limit of 0.019 pM is achieved. • The practical feasibility of the photo driven sensor was evaluated in water samples like tap, pond and river water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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