Synergistic degradation of polystyrene nanoplastics in water: Harnessing solar and water-driven energy through a Z-scheme SnO2/g-C3N4/PVDF-HFP piezo-photocatalytic system
Abstract
The rise of nanoplastics (NPs) as a water pollutant poses threats to aquatic ecosystems and human health. This study presents an approach that combines solar and water-driven energy sources with advanced materials to degrade NPs. For this purpose, a SnO2/g-C3N4/PVDF-HFP piezo-photocatalyst has been developed. The SnO2/g-C3N4 photocatalyst with Z-Scheme charge transfer demonstrates high activity under simulated solar light. Simultaneously, ultrasound waves, employed to mimic water motion, serve to activate the piezoelectric properties of g-C3N4, thereby enhancing charge separation. Moreover, the immobilization of SnO2/g-C3N4 onto piezoelectric poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) nanofiber mats augments its piezocatalytic efficiency and prevents dispersion in the reaction media. During the piezo-photocatalytic process, generated reactive species attack polystyrene (PS) NPs and introduce oxygen-based functional groups. This leads to surface corrosion, fragmentation, and 46 % mineralization in just 15 h under mild conditions, outperforming existing literature. Overall, this research emphasizes the importance of harnessing renewable energy sources for NP remediation.
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BibTeX
@article{fazli2026synergistic,
title = {{Synergistic degradation of polystyrene nanoplastics in water: Harnessing solar and water-driven energy through a Z-scheme SnO2/g-C3N4/PVDF-HFP piezo-photocatalytic system}},
author = {Arezou Fazli and Simone Lauciello and Rosaria Brescia and Ricardo Carzino and Athanassia Athanassiou and Despina Fragouli},
journal = {Applied Catalysis B: Environmental},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.apcatb.2024.124056},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05793777v1},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Synergistic degradation of polystyrene nanoplastics in water: Harnessing solar and water-driven energy through a Z-scheme SnO2/g-C3N4/PVDF-HFP piezo-photocatalytic system
AU - Arezou Fazli
AU - Simone Lauciello
AU - Rosaria Brescia
AU - Ricardo Carzino
AU - Athanassia Athanassiou
AU - Despina Fragouli
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/12
JO - Applied Catalysis B: Environmental
DO - 10.1016/j.apcatb.2024.124056
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05793777v1
AB - The rise of nanoplastics (NPs) as a water pollutant poses threats to aquatic ecosystems and human health. This study presents an approach that combines solar and water-driven energy sources with advanced materials to degrade NPs. For this purpose, a SnO2/g-C3N4/PVDF-HFP piezo-photocatalyst has been developed. The SnO2/g-C3N4 photocatalyst with Z-Scheme charge transfer demonstrates high activity under simulated solar light. Simultaneously, ultrasound waves, employed to mimic water motion, serve to activate the piezoelectric properties of g-C3N4, thereby enhancing charge separation. Moreover, the immobilization of SnO2/g-C3N4 onto piezoelectric poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) nanofiber mats augments its piezocatalytic efficiency and prevents dispersion in the reaction media. During the piezo-photocatalytic process, generated reactive species attack polystyrene (PS) NPs and introduce oxygen-based functional groups. This leads to surface corrosion, fragmentation, and 46 % mineralization in just 15 h under mild conditions, outperforming existing literature. Overall, this research emphasizes the importance of harnessing renewable energy sources for NP remediation.
SN - 0926-3373
SN - 1873-3883
ER -