Nitrogen–doped titanium dioxide/schwertmannite nanocomposites as heterogeneous photo–Fenton catalysts with enhanced efficiency for the degradation of bisphenol A.

• Composite photo–Fenton catalysts of N–doped TiO 2 and schwertmannite were prepared. • N–TiO 2 /SCH displayed a superior BPA degradation activity of ca. 100% within 60 min. • Hydroxyl radical and singlet oxygen are active species in this photo–Fenton system. Potential health risks related to environmental endocrine disruptors (EEDs) have aroused research hotspots at the forefront of water treatment technologies. Herein, nitrogen–doped titanium dioxide/schwertmannite nanocomposites (N–TiO 2 /SCH) have been successfully developed as heterogeneous catalysts for the degradation of typical EEDs via photo–Fenton processes. Due to the sustainable Fe(III)/Fe(II) conversion induced by photoelectrons, as–prepared N–TiO 2 /SCH nanocomposites exhibit much enhanced efficiency for the degradation of bisphenol A (BPA; ca. 100% within 60 min under visible irradiation) in a wide pH range of 3.0-7.8, which is significantly higher than that of the pristine schwertmannite (ca. 74.5%) or N–TiO 2 (ca. 10.8%). In this photo–Fenton system, the efficient degradation of BPA is mainly attributed to the oxidation by hydroxyl radical (•OH) and singlet oxygen (1O 2). Moreover, the possible catalytic mechanisms and reaction pathway of BPA degradation are systematically investigated based on analytical and photoelectrochemical analyses. This work not only provides a feasible means for the development of novel heterogeneous photo–Fenton catalysts, but also lays a theoretical foundation for the potential application of mineral–based materials in wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]