Enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity of Bi₂WO₆-BiSI Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts for tetracycline degradation

ABSTRACT

Novel visible-light-driven Bi₂WO₆-BiSIcompositeswere successfully synthesised by a facile hydrothermal method. The as-prepared nanomaterial was characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and UV-visible diffuse reflectance (UV-vis DRS). The photocatalytic degradation tetracycline (TC) experiments indicate that Bi₂WO₆-BiSI(170°C) had the best photocatalytic activity. The results free radical trap experiments demonstrate that h⁺ and ^•O₂⁻ are the main free radicals in the photocatalytic process. And the improvement of photocatalytic performance of composite materials due to the formation of heterojunction between Bi₂WO₆ and BiSI, which accelerates electron conduction and effectively separates photogenerated electrons and holes. Additionally, the cyclic test shows that the Bi₂WO₆-BiSI hybrid materials have the stable degradation ability during the photodegradation process. The unique heterojunction photocatalytic material is promising for the practical applications in remove organic pollutants to manage the environment.

KEYWORDS:

• Tetracycline antibiotics
• Bi₂WO₆
• BiSI
• photocatalytic activity
• visible-light catalysis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).