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Smart Bifunctional Sb 2 Se 3 Nanorods for Integrated Water Purification: Insoluble Liquid Separation and Photoelectrochemical Degradation
Author(s) -
Kim Young Been,
Cho Sung Woon,
Deshpande Nishad G.,
Jung Sung Hyeon,
Kim Dong Su,
Park Ki Ju,
Kim HanKi,
Cho Hyung Koun
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.202000438
Subject(s) - nanorod , chemical engineering , water splitting , materials science , photocurrent , bifunctional , linear sweep voltammetry , inorganic chemistry , chemistry , nanotechnology , cyclic voltammetry , electrode , photocatalysis , electrochemistry , catalysis , organic chemistry , optoelectronics , engineering
Antimony selenide (Sb 2 Se 3 ) nanostructures enable bifunctional water purification by a single membrane through i) physical separation of water‐insoluble oil and ii) photoelectrocatalytic degradation of water‐soluble organic compounds. Sb 2 Se 3 nanorods with exposed surfaces of { h 0 0} and { h 0 l } planes exhibit superhydrophobicity (water contact angle of ≈159°) owing to extremely low surface energy of those dangling‐bond‐free van der Waals planes. Based on crystallographic understanding, superhydrophobic Sb 2 Se 3 nanorods were produced on a mesh‐type substrate for utilization as a membrane for physical water/oil separation. Sb 2 Se 3 exhibited an optimal photocathodic response with p‐type electrical conductivity under visible light along the longitudinal crystal direction. This indicated that the nanorods could be used as photoelectrocatalytic material for chemical water purification. A smart membrane with Sb 2 Se 3 nanostructures was proposed as a candidate for integrated water purification that can simultaneously accomplish water/oil separation and photoelectrocatalytic degradation of organic compounds in wastewater. Linear sweep voltammetry measurements of the Sb 2 Se 3 ‐membrane showed cathodic photocurrent generation (up to approximately 10 mA cm −2 at 0 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode), which was enough to reduce O 2 to an oxygen radical (O 2 .− ) for degradation of methyl orange. Consequently, solar‐driven integrated water purification was demonstrated for the first time by using a single material with a dual function of superhydrophobicity and photoactivity.