Photocatalytic Properties of Office-Paper-Waste-Derived Activated Carbon for Efficient Degradation of Organic Pollutants
Sustainable waste recycling continues to be one of the most significant challenges in this century, especially for the office paper sector. On top of that, photocatalysis depends on solar radiation as an unlimited and environmentally friendly energy source for removing organic pollutants from contam...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Inorganics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6740/13/6/196 |
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| Summary: | Sustainable waste recycling continues to be one of the most significant challenges in this century, especially for the office paper sector. On top of that, photocatalysis depends on solar radiation as an unlimited and environmentally friendly energy source for removing organic pollutants from contaminated water. The obtaining of AC from office paper waste was carried out with the help of the chemical activation method using ZnCl<sub>2</sub> as an activation agent, followed by heating the samples in adequate conditions. In the present research, we assessed the influence of the amount of ZnCl<sub>2</sub> activator on the properties of AC. In our experimental conditions, a part of ZnCl<sub>2</sub> was transformed into ZnO, deposited onto AC, and formed a composite. We attempted to minimize aggressive chemical agents through inexpensive technical solutions and experimental approaches. The properties of the obtained AC samples were evaluated by XRD, XPS, SEM/EDX, EPR, and surface area and porosity investigations. All of the samples exhibit photocatalytic activity toward Rhodamine B. The photocatalytic mechanism was evaluated considering the existence of reactive oxygen species (ROSs), as evidenced by spin-trapping experiments. |
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| ISSN: | 2304-6740 |