Photocatalytic removal of U(VI) from aqueous solution under visible light by bismuth oxyiodide/graphitic carbon nitride composite

Yu-Jia Xiao; Shi Chen; Ping Li; Dong Zhang; Jing-Jing Wang; Hui Dong; Yan-Rong He

doi:10.1016/j.jcis.2025.01.019

Photocatalytic removal of U(VI) from aqueous solution under visible light by bismuth oxyiodide/graphitic carbon nitride composite

J Colloid Interface Sci. 2025 Jan 6;684(Pt 1):131-139. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2025.01.019. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Yu-Jia Xiao¹, Shi Chen², Ping Li³, Dong Zhang², Jing-Jing Wang⁴, Hui Dong⁵, Yan-Rong He⁶

Affiliations

¹ School of Metallurgy, Northeastern University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110819, China; Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621000, China.
² Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621000, China.
³ Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China.
⁴ School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710129, China. Electronic address: wangjj@nwpu.edu.cn.
⁵ School of Metallurgy, Northeastern University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110819, China. Electronic address: dongh@mail.neu.edu.cn.
⁶ School of Metallurgy, Northeastern University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110819, China. Electronic address: heyr@caep.cn.

PMID: 39787806
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2025.01.019

Abstract

Applicable to convert soluble U(VI) into the less mobile U(IV) form, the photocatalytic process is widely regarded as an efficient solution to uranium pollution. In the present study, BiOI/g-C₃N₄ (BICN) composites were produced through uncomplicated hydrothermal synthesis, followed by U(VI) photocatalytic reduction. Batch experiments were conducted to demonstrate the exceptional capability of BICN to address uranium contamination. Specifically, the 5%-BICN composite exhibited higher photocatalytic efficiency in U(VI) reduction, with its performance improved by 1.5 times over BiOI and 3.0 times over g-C₃N₄. Characterized by p-n heterojunction, BICN composites enhance the movement and separation efficiencies of photogenerated carriers, which significantly promotes the production of •O₂^- radicals that are critical for U(VI) photocatalytic reduction. These results provide crucial guidance on the potential application of BICN composites in environmental remediation processes.

Keywords: BiOI; Photocatalysis; Reduction; Uranium; g-C(3)N(4).