Poly Meta-Aminophenol (PmAP) as a Solid-State Electron Mediator in the Z-Scheme, Ag₃PO₄/CoFe₂O₄ Heterojunction: Mineralization of Highly Concentrated Bisphenol-A and Reactive Dyes Water Pollutants

Abstract

This study demonstrated the effectiveness of poly meta-aminophenol (PmAP) as a solid electron mediator in the Zscheme photocatalytic system for organic pollutants (viz. bisphenol-A and reactive dyes) mineralization and also illustrated how PmAP transported the photogenerated electrons from an O 2 -emitting photocatalyst (Ag 3 PO 4 ) to a H 2 -emitting photocatalyst (CoFe 2 O 4 ) enabling enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation. The PmAP/Ag 3 PO 4 −CoFe 2 O 4 (PAC-10), was prepared by a two-step process and characterized by various analytical methods to assess the impact of PmAP on optical, photocatalytic, and electrochemical characteristics of the CoFe 2 O 4 (CFO)/Ag 3 PO 4 composite. The morphological investigation revealed that the PmAP sheet was nicely decorated with evenly distributed Ag 3 PO 4 and CoFe 2 O 4 particles. The M−S plot and impedance analyses were used to assess the electrochemical capabilities of the catalyst. Zscheme charge transfer pathways were well supported by the radical trapping experiment and HRTEM analysis of Pt photodeposited PAC-10 photocatalysts during the photoreaction. Because of its magnetic nature and ease of synthesis, the PAC-10 offers an easily recyclable Z-scheme photocatalytic system that has the potential for purifying wastewater with high concentrations (up to 100 mg/ L) of organic pollutants within 30 min of visible light exposition.