Application of Engineered Si Nanoparticles in Light-Induced Advanced Oxidation Remediation of a Water-Borne Model Contaminant

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Abstract
Surface engineered amphiphilic polymer coated silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) were employed as photocatalysts to capture and degrade a model organic contaminant (methanol) in water. This study represents the first time SiNPs have been employed in the initiation of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) that are commonly used to degrade organic constituents in industrial waste-waters. The quantum yield of photocatalytic methanol oxidation and the corresponding yield factor for the generation of active OH radicals are reported. The size and surface defect dependent photocatalytic activity of SiNPs was investigated. The yield factors (η) decreased with increasing particle size and reached impressive values that exceeded that of equivalent TiO2 nanoparticle systems by 3 - 4 times and are comparable to the robust UV/Cl2 and UV/H2O2 systems. The higher photocatalytic efficiency of SiNPs is attributed to the combined effects of quantum confinement, effective band gap and surfacestates out of which surface states play a dominant role. SiNPs provide a potentially tunable, biologically inert and robust nanoparticle system for photocatalytic oxidation of waste-water contaminants.
Funding Information
  • National Research Council Canada
  • Helmholtz Association
  • University of Alberta
  • Environnement Canada
  • Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
  • School of Energy and the Environment, University of Alberta
  • Business Development Bank of Canada

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