10.57647/j.jtap.2025.1904.40

Photonic field enhancement and UV shifting via Allium cepa-derived quercetin coupled to Al-doped TiO2 for ultrafast photocatalytic oil degradation in contaminated

PDF
  • Moses Udoisoh*1,
  • Ubong Bernard Essien2,
  • Chukwuwendu Jeffrey Amaechi3,
  • Dibia Victor Okwudiri4,
  • Oluwatosin Mayowa Olajide5,
  1. Photonics and Solid-State Physics Unit, Department of Physics, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Rivers State Nigeria
  2. Department of Animal and Enviromental Biology, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
  3. Solid State Physics Unit, Department of Physics, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Rivers State Nigeria
  4. Department of Physics, Federal College of Education(T), Omoku, Rivers State, Nigeria
  5. Department of Agronomy, William V.S Tubman University, Harper Liberia.

Received: 2025-06-05

Revised: 2025-08-09

Accepted: 2025-08-14

Published in Issue 2025-08-31

Copyright (c) 2025 Moses Udoisoh, Ubong Bernard Essien, Chukwuwendu Jeffrey Amaechi, Dibia Victor Okwudiri, Oluwatosin Mayowa Olajide (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

1.
Udoisoh M, Essien UB, Amaechi CJ, Okwudiri DV, Olajide OM. Photonic field enhancement and UV shifting via Allium cepa-derived quercetin coupled to Al-doped TiO2 for ultrafast photocatalytic oil degradation in contaminated. J Theor Appl phys. 2025 Aug. 31;19(4). Available from: https://oiccpress.com/jtap/article/view/17653
Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC

PDF views: 239

Abstract

Photocatalytic remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soils remains challenging due to TiO₂’s limited solar spectral response and poor light penetration in turbid media. In this study, we present a novel and rationally designed quercetin-Al-TiO₂@SiO₂ aerogel composite that overcomes these limitations through synergistic photonic, plasmonic, and scattering-mitigation strategies. Allium cepa-derived quercetin acts as a bio-photonic converter, absorbing underutilized UV-A (320-400 nm) and re-emitting UV-B (280-320 nm) via Stokes shift, precisely matching the LSPR-enhanced absorption of Al-doped TiO₂. The mesoporous SiO₂ aerogel simultaneously minimizes scattering losses (blobid0.png) while enhancing photon residence time (blobid1.png). Our first-principles modeling predicts a significantly improved photocatalytic efficiency, demonstrating a 24-fold enhancement in degradation kinetics (t₁/₂ ∼ 60 min) compared to conventional TiO₂, achieved through optimized ROS generation (10⁵ cm⁻³s⁻¹) and charge separation (blobid2-e49a31109d2874cde97ffd3e0302d9f4.png). The proposed system also anticipates long-term field deployment, with a photostability-informed quercetin encapsulation strategy, dopant-retention in Al–TiO₂, and aerogel durability supporting reusability. This work demonstrates a new paradigm for solar-driven environmental remediation by integrating biological spectral conversion with engineered plasmonic nanomaterials in a soil-compatible matrix, offering a sustainable solution for large-scale hydrocarbon degradation.

Keywords

  • Quercetin phtotocatalysis,
  • Al-doped TiO2,
  • Stokes shift,
  • Oil degradation in contaminated soils,
  • BioPhotonics
PDF

References

  1. Majeed, B. K., Shwan, D. M. S., & Rashid, K. (2025). A review on environmental contamination of petroleum hydrocarbons, its effects and remediation approaches. Environmental Science: Processes &Amp; Impacts, 27(3), 526-548. https://doi.org/10.1039/d4em00548a
  2. Yadav, K. K., Singh, K. K., Yadav, A. S. and Kumar, D. (2023). The Ecological Impact of Oil Spills on Soil Health. Vigyan Varta SP3: 93-96.
  3. Shi, L., Liu, Z., Yang, L., & Fan, W. (2022). Effects of oil pollution on soil microbial diversity in the loess hilly areas, china. Annals of Microbiology, 72(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13213-022-01683-7
  4. Ogbeide, G. and Eriyamremu, G. (2023). Physicochemical and microbial alterations in crude oil-contaminated soil samples. Dutse Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 9(2a), 281-289. https://doi.org/10.4314/dujopas.v9i2a.28
  5. Amaechi, J. U., Onweremadu, E. U., Uzoho, B. U., & Chukwu, E. D. (2022). Physico-Chemical Properties of Wetland Soils Affected by Crude Oil Spillage in Niger Delta Area, Nigeria. International Journal of Plant & Soil Science, 109–121. https://doi.org/10.9734/ijpss/2022/v34i242619
  6. Ouriache, H., Arrar, J., Namane, A., & Bentahar, F. (2019). Treatment of petroleum hydrocarbons contaminated soil by fenton like oxidation. Chemosphere, 232, 377-386. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.05.060
  7. Udinyiwe, C. O., & Aghedo, E. S. (2023). Effect of crude oil spillage on some soil physical properties within Ovia North East Local Government in Edo State. Scientia Africana, 22(2), 37–48. https://doi.org/10.4314/sa.v22i2.5
  8. Laffon, B., Pásaro, E., & Valdiglesias, V. (2016). Effects of exposure to oil spills on human health: Updated review. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B, 19(3–4), 105–128. https://doi.org/10.1080/10937404.2016.1168730
  9. Thakur, A., & Koul, B. (2022). Impact of oil exploration and spillage on marine environments. In Advances in Oil-Water Separation (pp. 115–135). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-323-89978-9.00018-5
  10. Kontovas, C. A., Psaraftis, H. N., & Ventikos, N. P. (2010). An empirical analysis of IOPCF oil spill cost data. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 60(9), 1455–1466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2010.05.010
  11. Boehm, P., Morrison, A. M., Semenova, S., Kashuba, R., Ahnell, A., & Monti, C. (2016, April 11). A Comprehensive Model for Oil Spill Liability Estimation. SPE International Conference and Exhibition on Health, Safety, Security, Environment, and Social Responsibility. SPE International Conference and Exhibition on Health, Safety, Security, Environment, and Social Responsibility. https://doi.org/10.2118/179301-ms
  12. Zhao, Z., Zhang, C., Li, J., Fang, D., Tan, P., Fang, Q., … & Chen, G. (2024). Insight into the effect of exposed crystal facets of anatase tio2 on hcho catalytic oxidation of mn-ce/tio2. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 474, 134710. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134710
  13. Fernandes, S. M., Barrocas, B., Nardeli, J. V., Montemor, M., Maçôas, E., Oliveira, M. C., … & Marques, A. C. (2024). Maximizing photocatalytic efficiency with minimal amount of gold: solar-driven tio2 photocatalysis supported by microscafs® for facile catalyst recovery. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 12(2), 112043. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2024.112043
  14. Barrocas, B., Ambrožová, N., & Kočí, K. (2022). Photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide on tio2 heterojunction photocatalysts—a review. Materials, 15(3), 967. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15030967
  15. Huang, T., Mao, S., Yu, J., Wen, Z., Lu, G., & Chen, J. (2013). Effects of n and f doping on structure and photocatalytic properties of anatase tio2 nanoparticles. RSC Advances, 3(37), 16657. https://doi.org/10.1039/c3ra42600a
  16. Xu, Y., Chiam, S. L., Leo, C., & Hu, Z. (2025). Recent advances in photocatalytic tio 2 -based membranes for eliminating water pollutants. Separation &Amp; Purification Reviews, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/15422119.2025.2487991
  17. Aldosari, O. F. (2025). Photocatalytic water-splitting for hydrogen production using tio 2 -based catalysts: advances, current challenges, and future perspectives. Catalysis Reviews, 1-38. https://doi.org/10.1080/01614940.2024.2446476
  18. Shi, Z., Li, Y., Dong, L., Guan, Y., & Bao, M. (2021). Deep remediation of oil spill based on the dispersion and photocatalytic degradation of biosurfactant-modified TiO2. Chemosphere, 281, 130744. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130744
  19. Li, C., Yan, L., Li, Y., Zhang, D., Bao, M., & Dong, L. (2020). TiO2@palygorskite composite for the efficient remediation of oil spills via a dispersion-photodegradation synergy. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 15(4). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-020-1365-3
  20. Lee, Y. J., Putri, L. K., Ng, B.-J., Tan, L.-L., Wu, T. Y., & Chai, S.-P. (2023). Blue TiO2 with tunable oxygen-vacancy defects for enhanced photocatalytic diesel oil degradation. Applied Surface Science, 611, 155716. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2022.155716
  21. Likodimos, V. (2018). Photonic crystal-assisted visible light activated TiO2 photocatalysis. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 230, 269–303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2018.02.039
  22. Ma, H.-Y., Zhao, L., Guo, L.-H., Zhang, H., Chen, F.-J., & Yu, W.-C. (2019). Roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the photocatalytic degradation of pentachlorophenol and its main toxic intermediates by TiO2/UV. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 369, 719–726. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.02.080
  23. Ribao, P., Corredor, J., Rivero, M. J., & Ortiz, I. (2019). Role of reactive oxygen species on the activity of noble metal-doped TiO2 photocatalysts. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 372, 45–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.05.026
  24. Chen, Y., Zhang, X., Mao, L., & Yang, Z. (2017). Dependence of kinetics and pathway of acetaminophen photocatalytic degradation on irradiation photon energy and TiO2 crystalline. Chemical Engineering Journal, 330, 1091–1099. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2017.07.148
  25. Wu, S., Hu, H., Lin, Y., Zhang, J., & Hu, Y. H. (2020). Visible light photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline over TiO2. Chemical Engineering Journal, 382, 122842. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2019.122842
  26. Zhang, L., Li, P., Gong, Z., & Li, X. (2008). Photocatalytic degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on soil surfaces using TiO2 under UV light. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 158(2–3), 478–484. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2008.01.119
  27. Imai, K., Fukushima, T., Kobayashi, H., & Higashimoto, S. (2024). Visible-light responsive TiO2 for the complete photocatalytic decomposition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and its efficient acceleration by thermal energy. Applied Catalysis B: Environment and Energy, 346, 123745. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2024.123745
  28. Zhang, W., He, H., Li, H., Duan, L., Zu, L., Zhai, Y., Li, W., Wang, L., Fu, H., & Zhao, D. (2020). Visible‐Light Responsive TiO2‐Based Materials for Efficient Solar Energy Utilization. Advanced Energy Materials, 11(15). https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202003303
  29. Jiang, L., Zhou, S., Yang, J., Wang, H., Yu, H., Chen, H., Zhao, Y., Yuan, X., Chu, W., & Li, H. (2021). Near‐Infrared Light Responsive TiO2 for Efficient Solar Energy Utilization. Advanced Functional Materials, 32(12). https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202108977
  30. Du, S., Lian, J., & Zhang, F. (2021). Visible Light-Responsive N-Doped TiO2 Photocatalysis: Synthesis, Characterizations, and Applications. Transactions of Tianjin University, 28(1), 33–52. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12209-021-00303-w
  31. Adam, M. E. (2013). Atmospheric modulations of the ratio of UVB to broadband solar radiation: effect of ozone, water vapour, and aerosols at Qena, Egypt. International Journal of Climatology, 34(7), 2477–2488. https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.3854
  32. Natarajan, T. S., Mozhiarasi, V., & Tayade, R. J. (2021). Nitrogen Doped Titanium Dioxide (N-TiO2): Synopsis of Synthesis Methodologies, Doping Mechanisms, Property Evaluation and Visible Light Photocatalytic Applications. Photochem, 1(3), 371–410. https://doi.org/10.3390/photochem1030024
  33. Huang, J., Dou, L., Li, J., Zhong, J., Li, M., & Wang, T. (2021). Excellent visible light responsive photocatalytic behavior of N-doped TiO2 toward decontamination of organic pollutants. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 403, 123857. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123857
  34. Gangadhar, T. G., Pavan Kumar, M. V., Bangalore Thimmaiah, M., Jagadeesha, T., Math, M. M., & Saravanakumar, G. (2025). Photocatalytic performance of silver-doped titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles for environmental applications. Materials Technology, 40(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/10667857.2025.2502960
  35. Yang, L., Feng, N., & Deng, F. (2022). Aluminum-doped tio2 with dominant {001} facets: microstructure and property evolution and photocatalytic activity. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 126(12), 5555-5563. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.2c00537
  36. Murashkina, A. A., Rudakova, A. V., Ryabchuk, V. K., Nikitin, K. V., Mikhailov, R. V., Emeline, A. V., … & Bahnemann, D. W. (2018). Influence of the dopant concentration on the photoelectrochemical behavior of al-doped tio2. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 122(14), 7975-7981. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.7b12840
  37. Villarreal-Morales, R., Hinojosa‐Reyes, L., Zanella, R., Durán–Álvarez, J. C., Caballero-Quintero, A., & Guzmán‐Mar, J. L. (2022). Enhanced performance of tio2 doped with aluminum for the photocatalytic degradation of a mixture of plasticizers. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 10(1), 107100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2021.107100
  38. Coelho, L. L., Vieira, J. dos S., Hissanaga, A. M., Rosseti, M., Wilhelm, M., Hotza, D., & de and Fátima Peralta Muniz Moreira, R. (2023). Photocatalytic and antifouling performance of titania-coated alumina membranes produced using a facile sol-gel dip-coating approach. Environmental Technology, 45(23), 4750–4765. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593330.2023.2283084
  39. Dall’Acqua, S., Miolo, G., Innocenti, G., & Caffieri, S. (2012). The photodegradation of quercetin: relation to oxidation. Molecules, 17(8), 8898-8907. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules17088898
  40. Golonka, I., Wilk, S., & Musiał, W. (2020). "The Influence of UV Radiation on the Degradation of Pharmaceutical Formulations Containing Quercetin." Molecules, 25(22), 5454. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25225454
  41. Cai, Z., Li, H., Wu, J., Zhu, L., Ma, X., & Zhang, C. (2020). Ascorbic acid stabilised copper nanoclusters as fluorescent sensors for detection of quercetin. RSC Advances, 10(15), 8989-8993. https://doi.org/10.1039/d0ra01265c
  42. Бондарев, С. Л., Тихомиров, С. А., Knyukshto, V. N., Буганов, О. В., & Райченок, Т. Ф. (2017). Ultrafast deactivation of excitation energy in rutin and quercetin via electron and proton transfers. Ophthalmology Case Reports, 01(01). https://doi.org/10.35841/ophthalmology.1.1.42-43
  43. Fahlman, B. and Krol, E. S. (2009). Uva and uvb radiation-induced oxidation products of quercetin. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 97(3), 123-131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2009.08.009
  44. Yang, L., Li, P., Gao, Y., & Wu, D. (2010). Qualitative observation of chemical change rate for quercetin in basic medium characterized by time resolved uv–vis spectroscopy. Journal of Molecular Liquids, 151(2-3), 134-137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2009.12.006