Photoelectrocatalyzed degradation of organophosphorus pesticide fenamiphos using WO3 nanorods as photoanode

Abstract In this study, WO3 nanostructures were synthesized by the electrochemical anodization technique to use them on the degradation of persistent organic compounds such as the pesticide fenamiphos. The acids electrolyte used during the anodization were two different: 1.5 M H2SO4 - 0.05 M H2O2 and 1.5 M CH4O3S - 0.05 M H2O2. Once the samples have been manufactured, they have been subjected to different tests to analyze the properties of the nanostructures. With Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) the samples have been examined morphologically, their composition and crystallinity has been studied through Raman Spectroscopy and their photoelectrochemical behaviour by Photoelectrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (PEIS). Finally, degradation tests have been carried out using the technique known as photoelectrocatalysis (PEC). The conditions that were applied in this technique were a potential of 1 VAg/AgCl and simulated solar illumination. The degradation process was monitored by UV–Visible and High-Performance liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to control the course of the experiment. The nanostructures obtained with 1.5 M CH4O3S - 0.05 M H2O2 electrolyte showed a better photoelectrochemical behaviour than nanostructures synthesized with 1.5 M H2SO4 - 0.05 M H2O2. The fenamiphos degradation was achieved at 2 h of experiment and the intermediate formation was noticed at 1 h of PEC experiment.