A theoretical and experimental approach for photocatalytic degradation of caffeic acid using BiOBr microspheres

• DOI: 10.1016/j.mseb.2021.115432
• Publication Date: 2021-09-16T08:48:09Z
• Authors: N. Otilia Diaz; C.A. Rodríguez; Juan C. Durán-Álv...; Neetu Talreja; Issis Quispe-Fuentes; Carolina Martínez...; Monserrat Bizarro; Héctor Valdés; Adriana C. Mera
• Keywords: Degradation; Potassium bromide; Central composite design

Abstract This study describes theoretical and experimental considerations to optimize the photocatalytic degradation of caffeic acid in water using 3D-BiOBr based materials under visible light irradiation. Three BiOBr materials were synthesized through the solvothermal method using different bromide sources, namely potassium bromide (KBr) and the ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide. Morphological and chemical changes were observed in IL based 3D-BiOBr materials. The theoretical optimization of the experimental conditions in heterogeneous photocatalysis tests (pH and dose of catalyst) were simulated using the MODDE 12.0.1 software. A central composite design (CCD) was applied to obtain a response surface to elucidate the optimal conditions. This model predicted that the maximum photocatalytic degradation can be achieved at pH of 6.7 and a photocatalyst dose of 344 mg L−1. The optimal experimental conditions were tested using the three synthesized 3D-BiOBr materials. The results showed that the highest degradation efficiency and mineralization yield were obtained using the BiOBr microspheres synthesized with the IL at 145 °C.