Chinese Journal of Catalysis ›› 2017, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (2): 192-198.DOI: 10.1016/S1872-2067(16)62583-4

• Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Photochemical oxidation mechanism of microcystin-RR by p-n heterojunction Ag/Ag2O-BiVO4

Chunhong Wua,b,c,d, Yanfen Fanga,b,c, Araya Hailu Tirusewb,c, Miaomiao Xianga,b,c, Yingping Huangb,c, Chuncheng Chenb,c   

  1. a College of biology and pharmacy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, Hubei, China;
    b Innovation Center for Geo-Hazards and Eco-Environment in Three Gorges Area, Yichang 443002, Hubei, China;
    c Engineering Research Center of Eco-environment in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, Hubei, China;
    d Medical College of China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, Hubei, China
  • Received:2016-09-25 Revised:2016-10-23 Online:2017-02-18 Published:2017-03-14
  • Contact: 10.1016/S1872-2067(16)62583-4
  • Supported by:

    This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21677086, 21407092, 21377067, 21577078) and the Natural Science Foundation for Innovation Group of Hubei Province, China (2015CFA021).

Abstract:

Microcystin-RR (MC-RR), a form of microcystin with two arginine moieties, is a cyanobacterial toxin that has been detected across a wide geographic range. It is a great concern globally because of its potential liver toxicity. Herein, the abilities of BiVO4, Ag-BiVO4, Ag2O-BiVO4 and Ag/Ag2O-BiVO4 to photocatalytically degrade MC-RR under visible-light irradiation (λ≥420 nm) were investigated and compared. The possible degradation pathways were explored through analysis of the reaction intermediates by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results showed that the presence of Ag0 enhanced the photocatalytic efficiency of Ag/Ag2O-BiVO4 via a synergetic effect between Ag2O and Ag0 at the p-n heterojunction. Moreover, the presence of Ag0 also greatly promoted the adsorption of MC-RR on the photocatalyst surface. Toxicological experiments on mice showed that the toxicity of MC-RR was significantly reduced after photocatalytic degradation.

Key words: Photochemical, p-n heterojunction, Silver, Silver oxide, Bismuth orthovanadate, Microcystin-RR (MC-RR), Mechanism