Mechanistic insights into chromium ions-doped lithium zinc borate nanosheet photocatalysis for mineral pollutant removal

Metal borates have emerged as promising materials in various applications, including photocatalysis and energy storage, due to their exceptional functional properties. Utilizing the in -situ hydrothermal method, a novel approach was employed to produce nanosheets of chromium ions -doped LiZnBO3 (Cr3+-doped LZB) without relying on surfactants or templates. Various doping concentrations (1, 3, and 5 mol%) were investigated. The synthesized material's photocatalytic effectiveness was evaluated by their capacity to degrade potassium butyl xanthate (PBX), a mineral pollutant, when exposed to visible light. PBX is a common chemical in the mining industry and poses environmental threats due to its toxic nature. Consequently, finding efficient means to disintegrate PBX is of utmost importance. The results showcased that the optimized Cr3+-doped LZB photocatalyst displayed a significantly elevated capability in breaking down PBX. It achieved an impressive 97.86% efficiency within a mere 64 min exposure to visible light, a remarkable contrast to the modest 28.52% degradation achieved by the unalloyed LZB. The improved catalyst exhibited significant boost, achieving a highest rate constant of 0.0514 min -1.