Energy-efficient pulsed photocatalysis with engineered biochar-ferrite nanocomposites for the reductive degradation of chlortoluron in water

Author First name, Last name, Institution

• Muhammad Imran, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari campus
• Behzad Murtaza, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari campus
• Muhammad Asif Naeem, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari campus
• Zia Ul Haq Khan, COMSATS University Islamabad
• Jibran Iqbal, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi CampusFollow
• Muhammad Shahid, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari campus
• Long Li, Henan Academy of Sciences
• Changseok Han, Inha University

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Journal of Environmental Management

Publication Date

8-1-2026

Abstract

This study investigates the ultraviolet light (UV) activated photocatalytic degradation of a recalcitrant herbicide chlortoluron by using ferrite and biochar-based nanostructured photocatalysts (CuFe2O4/BC, NiFe2O4/BC, CuFe2O4/NiFe2O4/BC, and CuFe2O4/BC/nZVI). The photocatalytic degradation experiments were conducted in a 700 mL reactor equipped with an internally mounted UV lamp. Materials were thoroughly characterized by XRD, XPS, FTIR, SEM, EDX techniques, and UV/Vis-based band gap energy analysis. Characterization results revealed the successful preparation of the composites and the stability of the materials. Experimental results revealed that the ternary ferrites and the ferrites containing nano-ZVI showed a decline in their efficiency as compared with CuFe2O4/BC and NiFe2O4/BC. For the optimized CuFe2O4/BC system, the photocatalytic activity was found to be high (99%) for chlortoluron degradation from water by pulsing the UV light. The important parameters were also optimized to achieve the desired photocatalytic activity. For the optimized system, the parameters were set to pH 7, a catalyst dosage of 0.3 g/L, and a nitrogen atmosphere to extend the lifetime of the hydrated electron (e-aq) by minimizing oxidation. The presence of competitive ions such as NO3⁻/NO2⁻ and humic acid led to a decline in chlortoluron removal from water, while other conditions remained the same. The pulsed activation process saved energy consumption (83.3%) as compared to traditional continuous UV-based degradation while maintaining the same efficiency, which will be beneficial in large-scale use. Mechanistic evidence for the reductive degradation pathway through systematic scavenger experiments confirmed the dechlorination as the primary degradation.

DOI Link

10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.130440

ISSN

0301-4797

Publisher

Elsevier BV

Volume

414

Disciplines

Environmental Engineering

Keywords

Advanced reduction processes, Chlortoluron, Energy efficient strategy, Nanocomposites, Photocatalysis, Wastewater treatment

Scopus ID

105043853037

Recommended Citation

Imran, Muhammad; Murtaza, Behzad; Naeem, Muhammad Asif; Khan, Zia Ul Haq; Iqbal, Jibran; Shahid, Muhammad; Li, Long; and Han, Changseok, "Energy-efficient pulsed photocatalysis with engineered biochar-ferrite nanocomposites for the reductive degradation of chlortoluron in water" (2026). All Works. 8092.
https://zuscholars.zu.ac.ae/works/8092

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

no