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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Jie ZhangORCiD
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© 2026 Elsevier B.V. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.A novel, environmentally benign Bi₁₂ZnO₂₀/Bi₂O₃ heterostructured photocatalyst was successfully synthesized via a green route using prickly pear peel extract. The extract's rich phytochemical profile, characterized by high polyphenol and flavonoid content, played a pivotal role in the controlled nucleation and stabilization of the Bi-based nanostructures. Detailed structural, morphological, and optical characterizations (XRD, FTIR, SEM, UV-DRS) confirmed the successful formation of crystalline sillenite-type Bi₁₂ZnO₂₀ and monoclinic Bi₂O₃ phases with enhanced surface features. The photocatalytic activity of the optimized composite (90% Bi₁₂ZnO₂₀/10% Bi₂O₃) was evaluated through the degradation of Biebrich Scarlet dye under UV irradiation. The system achieved 100% removal efficiency at pH 6.4 with an initial dye concentration of 20 mg/L, requiring 80 min with 1 g/L of catalyst and only 40 min with 2 g/L, demonstrating high degradation kinetics and light-harvesting efficiency. The improved activity is attributed to the formation of a synergistic heterojunction that enhances interfacial charge carrier separation and suppresses recombination. Radical scavenging tests and mechanistic analysis confirmed the dominant role of photogenerated holes and hydroxyl radicals in the degradation pathway. To support experimental findings and enable process optimization, a decision tree model combined with bootstrap aggregation (DT_Bootstrap) was developed, providing high predictive accuracy (R = 0.9999, RMSE = 0.0721). Furthermore, the Dragonfly Algorithm identified optimal reaction conditions, highlighting the added value of artificial intelligence in photocatalytic process design. These results establish the Bi₁₂ZnO₂₀/Bi₂O₃ composite as a high-performance, sustainable, and intelligent photocatalytic material for wastewater remediation.
Author(s): Madi K, Chebli D, Benkouachi OR, Boudraa R, Bouallouche R, Gheraibiaa S, Tahraoui H, Kebir M, Gil A, Zhang J, Amrane A
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Inorganic Chemistry Communications
Year: 2026
Volume: 188
Issue: 2
Print publication date: 01/06/2026
Online publication date: 05/04/2026
Acceptance date: 01/04/2026
ISSN (print): 1387-7003
ISSN (electronic): 1879-0259
Publisher: Elsevier
URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inoche.2026.116617
DOI: 10.1016/j.inoche.2026.116617
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