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September 22, 2025
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2D/1D Z-scheme heterojunction of Bi3O4Br and TiO2 nanobelt for photocatalytic degradation of pharmaceuticals

Publicated to: CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL. 522 167496- - 2025-10-15 522(), DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2025.167496

Authors:

Ahmadi, S; Yaah, VBK; Sliz, R; de Oliveira, SB; Leyva-Pérez, A; Heponiemi, A; Ojala, S
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Affiliations

Fed Inst Goias, Dept Chem, BR-74055110 Goiania, Brazil - Author
Univ Oulu, Fac Technol, Environm & Chem Engn, Oulu, Finland - Author
Univ Oulu, Fac Technol, Res Unit Sustainable Chem, POB 8000, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland - Author
Univ Oulu, Nano & Mol Syst Res Unit, POB 4500, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland - Author
Univ Oulu, Optoelect & Measurement Tech Unit, POB 4500, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland - Author
Univ Politecn Valencia, Agencia Estatal CSIC, Inst Tecnol Quim, Avda Naranjos S-N, Valencia 46022, Spain - Author
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Abstract

The pharmaceuticals present in wastewater treatment effluents cause significant environmental concern due to their persistence and potential toxicity. In the present work, a novel 2D/1D Z-scheme Bi3O4Br and TiO2 nanobelt (Bi3O4Br/TiO2 NB) photocatalyst was synthesized for the degradation of pharmaceuticals. Photocatalytic activity of this heterojunction catalyst was evaluated in the degradation of paracetamol and the effects of pH, photo-catalyst dosage, pollutant concentration, and temperature were investigated. The Bi3O4Br/TiO2 NB with a ratio of 2:1 enabled the highest 89 % degradation of paracetamol. Total organic carbon (TOC) analysis showed 54 % and 70 % TOC removal with 0.2 g and 0.4 g of the composite, respectively. Active species trapping experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis confirmed a Z-scheme charge transfer mechanism, improving charge carrier separation and increased generation of reactive oxygen species. Minimal structural degradation over four experimental cycles reflects the good stability of the composite. The degradation of diluted pharmaceutical wastewater using Bi3O4Br/TiO2 NB decreased TOC by 21 % demonstrating the potential of the catalyst in the practical applications.
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Keywords

Charge carrier separationDyeImproved lifetimeNanowiresNovel z-scheme heterojunctionParacetamolPhasePhotocatalysisTio2 nanobelts

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2025, it was in position 3/83, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Engineering, Environmental. Notably, the journal is positioned above the 90th percentile.

Independientemente del impacto esperado determinado por el canal de difusión, es importante destacar el impacto real observado de la propia aportación.

Según las diferentes agencias de indexación, el número de citas acumuladas por esta publicación hasta la fecha 2026-04-04:

  • WoS: 1
  • Scopus: 1
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Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2026-04-04:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 15 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

    It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

    • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
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    Leadership analysis of institutional authors

    This work has been carried out with international collaboration, specifically with researchers from: Brazil; Finland.

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    Awards linked to the item

    The Centre for Material Analysis at the University of Oulu, Finland, supported some of the characterizations. Dr. Anne Heponiemi and Sus-tainable Chemistry research unit are acknowledged for providing the TOC analysis. Kaisu Ainassaari is acknowledged for carrying out BET analysis. Dr. Rossella Greco is acknowledged for EPR measurement. Financial support was received through project PID2023-148441NB-I00, Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence program (CEX2021-001230-S) is gratefully acknowledged by Dr. Antonio Leyva-Perez. Dr. Velma Beri Kimbi Yaah acknowledges financial support from Kvantum Institute, University of Oulu. Assoc. Prof. Satu Ojala ac-knowledges financial support from Reseach Council of Finland and University of Oulu through H 2 Future profilation funding (352788) . Sami Saukko is acknowledged for his help in performing TEM.
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