Abstract: In this study, ZnO nanoparticles with high crystallinity and good dispersibility for efficient and green photocatalytic degradation of T-2 toxin were successfully prepared by a green and mild solvent hydrothermal method. The properties and T-2 toxin degrading performance of the nanoparticles were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and transient photocurrent response (TPR), and the factors affecting the T-2 toxin degrading performance and the underlying mechanism were explored. The results showed that the average particle size of the prepared nanoparticles was 43.23 nm. Under optimized conditions, more than 95% of T-2 toxin at an initial concentration of 5 μg/mL was removed after photocatalytic degradation with the nanoparticles for 240 min, with a degradation kinetic constant of 0.029 9 μg/(mL·min). The optimal catalyst dose was 0.5 mg/mL, and the optimal pH was 5–9 for the degradation of T-2 toxin. The photoelectric characterization confirmed the excellent optical absorption, response and charge separation performance of the ZnO nanoparticles and identified hydroxyl radicals to play a dominant role in T-2 toxin degradation. The current work provides an effective theoretical basis and technical support for the green and efficient degradation, conversion and removal of T-2 toxin.

Key words: T-2 toxin; photocatalytic degradation; ZnO; ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry