Selective, Photoenhanced Trapping/Detrapping of Arsenate Anions Using Mesoporous Blobfish Head TiO2 Monoliths

The efficient and low-cost adsorption of arsenic toxins from drinking water is a global concern because of its adverse health effects. The simple extraction and eco-friendly environmental waste management of arsenic(V) species using hierarchy rutile TiO2 were reported. Mesoporous microscale TiO2 sphere 3D monoliths were successfully fabricated with uniform mesopores morphology-like blobfish head containing open nanoscale eyes through hydrothermal one-pot synthesis. The blobfish head TiO2 (BHT) was mainly oriented along the predominant {110} facet and with dense top-surface atomic Ti4+ and O2– sites along the crystal edge surface and central crystals. These characteristics lead to efficient adsorption and selective binding to As(V) species in acidic medium. The photoinduced irradiation of the BHT adsorbent promoted significant trapping and high adsorptivity, with a maximum capacity reaching 125 mg/g from drinking water. The BHT adsorbent selectively binds As(V) species among competitive anions, such as chl...