High-efficient U(VI) removal from organic wastewater through polarization electric field enhanced photocatalysis with In2Se3@Ag3PO4 heterojunction

Effective catalytic methods and catalysts for the simultaneous removal of coexisting organic pollutants and heavy metal ions are crucial for sustainable and environmentally friendly water purification. Herein, flower-like S-scheme In₂Se₃@Ag₃PO₄ heterojunctions were synthesized by a two-step hydrothermal method for simultaneous removal of uranium (VI) (U(VI)) and organic pollutants using piezo-photocatalysis. Characterization and theoretical calculations confirmed the formation of the heterojunction, highlighting the significance of InO and SeP bonds in the S-scheme for enhancing photocatalytic reactions by improving charge carrier separation and migration. Additionally, the piezoelectric polarization electric field can also improve photocatalytic performance. The optimized In₂Se₃@Ag₃PO₄–3 catalyst demonstrated superior piezo-photocatalytic performance in synergistically removing U(VI) and degrading organics, such as tetracycline (TC), bisphenol A (BPA), carbamazepine (CBZ), levofloxacin (LVX), and norfloxacin (NOR). Particularly, in the presence of TC, the catalyst achieved 98.7 % U(VI) removal, and 94.1 % TC degradation within 30 min. This study introduces a promising strategy and a novel heterojunction catalyst with dual functional properties for the simultaneous treatment of wastewater containing organic pollutants and U(VI).