Sandra Romac

Ms. Sandra Romac

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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22 June 2025 in Nanomaterials
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Suresh Kumar PandeySuresh Kumar Pandey
Suresh Kumar Pandey
SRSandra Romac
Sandra Romac
JZJosipa Papac Zjačić
Josipa Papac Zjačić
MRMarijana Kraljić Roković
Marijana Kraljić Roković
Marin KovacicMarin Kovacic
Marin Kovacic
ABAna Lončarić Božić
Ana Lončarić Božić
Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), including pharmaceuticals and perfluorinated compounds, pose a growing threat to water quality due to their persistence and resistance to conventional treatment methods. In this context, photocatalytic processes capable of promoting both oxidative and reductive transformations have attracted increasing attention. This study explores the synthesis and performance of a SnS2-TiO2 heterojunction photocatalyst, designed to facilitate such reactions under solar and UV-A light. The composite was synthesized via the hydrothermal method and thoroughly characterized for its morphological, structural, surface, and semiconducting properties. The results confirmed the formation of a type-II heterojunction with improved visible-light absorption and suppressed charge recombination. Photoelectrochemical measurements indicated enhanced charge separation and favorable band-edge alignment for reductive processes. Photocatalytic experiments with amoxicillin (AMX) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) revealed distinct degradation behaviors: AMX was predominantly degraded via superoxide-mediated reductive pathways, whereas PFOA exhibited limited transformation, likely proceeding via a combination of oxidative and reductive mechanisms. While overall removal efficiencies were moderate, this study highlights the role of band structure engineering and heterojunction design in tailoring photocatalytic behavior. The SnS2-TiO2 system serves as a promising platform for further development of composite materials to address the challenge of CECs in water treatment.