Nanocellulose-Supported Dual S-Scheme SnWO<sub>4</sub>/Cu<sub>2</sub>O/Ag<sub>2</sub>WO<sub>4</sub> Heterojunction for Enhanced Photodegradation of Amoxicillin
Shabnam Sambyal, Rohit Sharma, Parteek Mandyal, Vinay Chauhan, Aashish Priye, Manish Kumar, Pooja Shandilya
Abstract
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide A dual S-scheme nanocellulose-based SnWO 4 /Cu 2 O/Ag 2 WO 4 (NC-SCA) heterojunction photocatalyst was synthesized via ultrasonication followed by a hydrothermal method for the efficient photodegradation of amoxicillin (AMX). Under UV–vis light irradiation, the NC-SCA photocatalyst exhibited an impressive 97.40% AMX degradation within 30 min, attributed to its improved optical absorption and superior charge migration. The characterization techniques, including XRD, FTIR, PL, and UV–vis spectroscopy, confirmed the successful integration of nanocellulose with SnWO 4 /Cu 2 O/Ag 2 WO 4 . XPS and ESR analyses provided insights into the S-scheme charge migration mechanism within the heterojunction. Further, the trapping experiments identified hydroxyl ( • OH) and superoxide ( O 2 − • ) radicals as the primary reactive species. The photocatalyst displayed a specific surface area of 115.9 m 2 /g, offering a large active surface for photodegradation. Operational parameters such as the photocatalyst dosage, pH, and AMX concentration were systematically optimized. The NC-SCA photocatalyst exhibited high stability, retaining around 85% efficiency after seven cycles. This study presents an innovative strategy for designing high-performance photocatalysts addressing the limitations of conventional materials.