RESUMO
A photoelectrocatalyst consisting of WO3 nanosheets or nanorods has been synthesized by electrochemical anodization under hydrodynamic conditions, and has been used for the degradation of two toxic pesticides: chlorfenvinphos and bromacil. Nanostructures have been characterized by FESEM and Raman spectroscopy. Photoelectrochemical degradation tests have been carried out both for individual pesticide solutions and for a mixture solution, and the concentration evolution with time has been followed by UV-Vis spectrophotometry. For individual pesticides, pseudo-first order kinetic coefficients of 0.402h-1 and 0.324h-1 have been obtained for chlorfenvinphos and bromacil, respectively, while for the mixture solution, these kinetic coefficients have been 0.162h-1 and 0.408h-1. The change in behavior towards pesticide degradation depending on whether individual or mixture solutions were used might be indicative of a competitive process between the two pesticide molecules when interacting with the WO3 nanostructures surface or when approaching the semiconductor/electrolyte interface.
RESUMO
The degradation of pesticide diuron has been explored by photoelectrocatalysis (PEC) under visible light illumination using two different WO3 nanostructures, obtained by anodization of tungsten. The highest degradation efficiency (73%) was obtained for WO3 nanosheets synthesized in the presence of small amounts of hydrogen peroxide (0.05â¯M). For that nanostructure, the kinetic coefficient for diuron degradation was 133% higher than that for the other nanostructure (anodized in the presence of fluoride anions). These results have been explained by taking into account the different architecture and dimensions of the two WO3 nanostructures under study.
