@misc{10481/63173,
year = {2020},
month = {5},
url = {http://hdl.handle.net/10481/63173},
abstract = {Heterogeneous photocatalysts for water decontamination were obtained by the optimized
synthesis of bismuth-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (rGO/Bi) using the Hummer method
and microwave treatment. Sulfamethazine (SMZ) was used as model pollutant to evaluate the
photocatalytic efficacy. Photocatalysts were characterized by VP-SEM, HRTEM, XDR, XPS, RAMAN,
and FTIR analyses, which confirmed the effective reduction of GO to rGO and the presence of bismuth
as a crystalline phase of Bi2O3 polydispersed on the surface. Their performance was influenced by the
rGO/Bi ratio, microwave temperature, and treatment time. The as-obtained 5%rGO/Bi composite had
the highest photocatalytic activity for SMZ degradation under visible light irradiation (λ > 400 nm),
achieving 100% degradation after only 2 h of treatment. The degradation yield decreased with
higher percentages of rGO. Accordingly, the rGO/Bi catalysts efficiently removed SMZ, showing
a high photocatalytic activity, and remained unchanged after three treatment cycles; furthermore,
cytotoxicity tests demonstrated the nontoxicity of the aqueous medium after SMZ degradation.
These findings support the potential value of these novel composites as photocatalysts to selectively
remove pollutants in water treatment plants.},
organization = {Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness 	
CTQ2016-80978-C2-1-R},
organization = {European Union (EU)

CTQ2016-80978-C2-1-R},
publisher = {MDPI},
keywords = {rGO/Bi composites},
keywords = {Photocatalysts},
keywords = {Microwaves},
keywords = {Solar radiation},
keywords = {Sulfamethazine},
title = {Solar Degradation of Sulfamethazine Using rGO/Bi Composite Photocatalysts},
doi = {10.3390/catal10050573},
author = {Fernández Perales, M. and Rozalen, Marisa and Sánchez Polo, Manuel and Rivera Utrilla, José},
}