Overall
- Language
- English
- Conflict of Interest
- In relation to this article, we declare that there is no conflict of interest.
- Publication history
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Received January 8, 2025
Revised March 26, 2025
Accepted April 5, 2025
Available online August 25, 2025
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This is an Open-Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/bync/3.0) which permits
unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Most Cited
Enhanced Photocatalytic Reduction of Carcinogenic Bromate in Water Using Self‑Assembled Integration of Titanium Dioxide and Alpha‑Sulfur
https://doi.org/
Abstract
Bromate (BrO₃⁻), a carcinogenic disinfection by-product, presents significant health risks, requiring its effective removal
from drinking water. Photocatalysis offers a promising method for reducing bromate to bromide (Br⁻). In this study, we
developed a novel composite material, aS/TiO₂ (aSTO), integrating TiO₂ nanoparticles onto the surface of alpha-sulfur (aS)
to enhance reduction under UV irradiation. The aSTO composite, with a bandgap energy of 2.69 eV, addresses the limitations
of pure TiO₂, such as limited UV absorption and agglomeration, which reduce its photocatalytic efficiency. We conducted
photocatalytic experiments to compare the performance of aSTO, TiO₂, and aS in bromate reduction. The experiments were
conducted under varying conditions, including different temperatures, pH levels, and the presence of co-existing anions
such as nitrate and phosphate. Recyclability tests were performed to assess the material’s reusability. The aSTO composite
outperformed both TiO₂ and aS, achieving up to 20 μmol/g of bromate removal at a dosage of 1500 mg/L over 120 min,
with significantly higher bromate removal compared to TiO₂ (~ 15 μmol/g) and aS (~ 5 μmol/g). The reduction of bromate
was accompanied by the stoichiometric formation of bromide, confirming the efficient conversion process. Its efficiency
improved under acidic conditions and elevated temperatures. Although co-existing anions slightly inhibited the process, aSTO
remained highly effective. Recyclability tests confirmed that aSTO retained its catalytic performance and structural integrity
over multiple cycles. Overall, aSTO shows great potential as a reusable photocatalyst for sustainable bromate removal in
real-world water treatment applications.

