MoS2 grown on hollow carbon nanospheres as photoanode for improved photoelectrocatalytic degradation of Bisphenol A

Photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) technology capable of fully mineralizing hazardous substances is a promising strategy to address growing environmental problems. Herein, MoS2 nanosheets grown on nitrogen doped hollow carbon spheres (MoS2–NHCS) composites was prepared, and then bonded on a foamed nickel matrix by electrodeposition as photoanode for PEC degradation of Bisphenol A (BPA). Due to the integrated synergistic effect of unique composites structure and photocatalysis/electrocatalysis, the separation efficiency and survival life of photogenerated carriers were improved, and then accelerated the degradation of pollutants. The maximum reaction rate constant was 7.30 × 10−3 min−1. Photoelectrochemical characterization and key influencing parameters were discussed to clarify the relations between structure and function. The activity loss of MoS2–NHCS photoanode after four cycles was less than 10%, showing the long-term stability of BPA removal. The radicals quenching results revealed that this composite system was dominated by •OH together with moiety contributed by h+ and O2 •-. Based on the detection results of intermediates, a possible decomposition pathway of BPA was proposed. The mixed pollution experiments suggested that the synergistic effect between organic matter and heavy metal greatly increased the treatment load of this composite electrode, providing a new idea for the study of practical wastewater treatment by the PEC system.