Utilizing recycled LiFePO 4 from batteries in combination with B@C 3 N 4 and CuFe 2 O 4 as sustainable nano-junctions for high performance degradation of atenolol.

In this report recycled LiFePO ₄ (LFP) from exhaust batteries was utilized to form B@C ₃ N ₄ /LiFePO ₄ /CuFe ₂ O ₄ (BLC) nano-junction as a visible active photocatalyst. The junction synthesized by two routes: Using as extracted LFP and forming LFP by extracted FePO ₄ and Li ₂ CO ₃ via in-situ deposition method. The two ternary junctions BLC and BLC (E) (utilizing as extracted LFP) were utilized for visible and solar powered degradation of beta-blocker drug Atenolol (ATL). Varying the loading of CuFe ₂ O ₄ (CF) which possesses lowest band gap, BLC (10%), BLC-3 (30%), BLC-5 (50%) and BLC-E (30% CF and as extracted LFP) were produced with BLC-3 exhibiting remarkable activity. The optical band gaps of BLC-3 (2.40 eV) and BLC (E) (2.46 eV) and photocurrent responses reveal high visible absorption and highly diminished recombination. 99.5% and 85.3% of ATL (20 mg L ^-1 ) could be degraded by BLC-3 and BLC (E) (0.3 g L ^-1 ) respectively in 60 min of exposure to Xe lamp and retaining of high activity in natural sunlight. Band-junction analysis, effect of scavengers and effect on teraphthalic acid and nitroblue tetrazolium reveal O ₂ ^- and OH radicals as active species and mineralization was confirmed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (LC-MS). Cyto-toxicity studies on human peripheral blood cells and effect on growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa confirm the complete mineralization. The BLC photocatalyst is a promising multi-functional catalyst utilizing LFP (rarely used as photocatalyst) for treatment of pharmaceutical waste water and other environmental applications.
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