A Yb3+/Er3+ co-doped Bi1.95Yb0.04Er0.01V2O8 efficient upconversion glass–ceramic photocatalyst for antibiotic degradation driven by UV–Vis-NIR broad spectrum light

Abstract

Photocatalytic films can be used to overcome the obstacles of nanoparticle agglomeration and powder recovery, but are limited by poor stability and low light utilization. Herein, a lanthanide-doped Bi1.95Yb0.04Er0.01V2O8 bulk upconversion glass–ceramic (GC) photocatalyst with a narrow bandgap was developed to overcome these limitations. Bi1.95Yb0.04Er0.01V2O8 was crystallized in the GC, and BiOCl nanosheets were in-situ grown on the surface of the bulk GC photocatalyst. The GC produced strong green (526 and 546 nm), and red (658 nm) emissions under 980 nm excitation. The absorption edge of the GC photocatalyst was extended to 620 nm, such that NIR photons were efficiently harvested, and most of the upconversion emissions during the photocatalysis process were utilized, a high norfloxacin degradation rate of 55.2% was obtained over 90 min of NIR light irradiation. The bulk GC photocatalyst can be easily regenerated by HCl etching again, and it is convenient for recovery. Furthermore, the photocatalyst is also suitable for practical treatment of wastewater with a low concentration of antibiotics, this study provides a novel strategy for the development of efficient photocatalytic films.