Photocatalytically-assisted oxidative adsorption of As(III) using sustainable multifunctional composite material -...

The purpose of the presented study was to explore the photocatalytic activity of Cu₂O-supported anion exchangers and to explain the mechanism of their action in water purification processes. The functionality of this type of material was studied in the process of As(III) removal from water. As a result of the reactivity of cuprous oxide and functional groups of the polymer, the obtained composite exhibited complex activity towards arsenic(III) species. The adsorption studies were conducted under various conditions: dark, UV-VIS irradiation, VIS irradiation, under aerobic and anoxic conditions. The results from chemical analyses were supported by instrumental analyses - X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. These studies showed that the mechanism of As(III) oxidative adsorption is based on the coupling of several reaction pathways: 1) photocatalytic oxidation involving Cu₂O as a photocatalyst, and photogenerated holes and ROS as oxidative agents, 2) chemical oxidation on the surface of CuO (being a result of the ageing process) with a re-oxidation of the produced Cu₂O to CuO by ROS and oxygen present in water, and 3) photochemical oxidation of As(III) in solution under UV light irradiation and subsequent adsorption of arsenates in the functional groups of the polymer.