An S-scheme heterojunction of Bi2WO6/AgIO3 nanocomposites that enhances photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B and antifouling properties

Abstract

Bi 2 WO 6 /AgIO 3 (BWO/AIO) nanosheet composites were constructed by a two-step hydrothermal method. The structure, morphology and photoelectrochemical properties of the composites were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-DRS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), impedance, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The constructed photocatalyst composites exhibited the best photocatalytic performance at a molar ratio of BWO/AIO-0.8. In addition, there was complete degradation of RhB by the BWO/AIO-0.8 in 180 min under illumination, and the bactericidal rates were 99.10%, 97.32% and 96.3% for P. aeruginosa , S. aureus and E. coli, respectively, in 60 min. Based on the energy band structure of the semiconductor and radical trapping experiments, the S-scheme heterojunction was associated with the enhanced photocatalytic properties.