Enhancement of AFB<sub>1</sub> Removal Efficiency via Adsorption/Photocatalysis Synergy Using Surface-Modified Electrospun PCL-g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>/CQDs Membranes
Liangtao Yao,
Changpo Sun,
Hui Lin,
Guisheng Li,
Zichao Lian,
Ruixin Song,
Songlin Zhuang,
Dawei Zhang
Affiliations
Liangtao Yao
Engineering Research Center of Optical Instrument and System, Ministry of Education and Shanghai Key Lab of Modern Optical System, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, No.516 Jungong Road, Shanghai 200093, China
Changpo Sun
Standards and Quality Center of National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, No.25 Yuetan North Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100834, China
Hui Lin
Engineering Research Center of Optical Instrument and System, Ministry of Education and Shanghai Key Lab of Modern Optical System, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, No.516 Jungong Road, Shanghai 200093, China
Guisheng Li
Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, No.516 Jungong Road, Shanghai 200093, China
Zichao Lian
Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, No.516 Jungong Road, Shanghai 200093, China
Ruixin Song
Engineering Research Center of Optical Instrument and System, Ministry of Education and Shanghai Key Lab of Modern Optical System, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, No.516 Jungong Road, Shanghai 200093, China
Songlin Zhuang
Engineering Research Center of Optical Instrument and System, Ministry of Education and Shanghai Key Lab of Modern Optical System, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, No.516 Jungong Road, Shanghai 200093, China
Dawei Zhang
Engineering Research Center of Optical Instrument and System, Ministry of Education and Shanghai Key Lab of Modern Optical System, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, No.516 Jungong Road, Shanghai 200093, China
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a highly toxic mycotoxin produced by aspergillus species under specific conditions as secondary metabolites. In this study, types of PCL (Polycaprolactone) membranes anchored (or not) to g-C3N4/CQDs composites were prepared using electrospinning technology with (or without) the following surface modification treatment to remove AFB1. These membranes and g-C3N4/CQDs composites were characterized by SEM, TEM, UV-vis, XRD, XPS and FTIR to analyze their physical and chemical properties. Among them, the modified PCL-g-C3N4/CQDs electrospun membranes exhibited an excellent ability to degrade AFB1 via synergistic effects of adsorption and photocatalysis, and the degradation rate of 0.5 μg/mL AFB1 solution was observed to be up to 96.88% in 30 min under visible light irradiation. Moreover, the modified PCL-g-C3N4/CQDs electrospun membranes could be removed directly after the reaction process without centrifugal or magnetic separation, and the regeneration was a green approach synchronized with the reaction under visible light avoiding physical or chemical treatment. The mechanism of adsorption by electrostatic attraction and hydrogen bonding interaction was revealed and the mechanism of photodegradation of AFB1 was also proposed based on active species trapping experiments. This study illuminated the highly synergic adsorption and photocatalytic AFB1 removal efficiency without side effects from the modified PCL-g-C3N4/CQDs electrospun membranes, thereby offering a continual and green solution to AFB1 removal in practical application.
