Abstract
In this work, the novel camellia-structured double Z-scheme BiOBr/g-C3N4/Bi2O2CO3 was simply prepared by a hydrothermal method. XRD, FTIR, SEM, TEM, XPS, UV-DRS, and PL were used to investigate the composition, morphology, chemical condition, and optical properties of the prepared samples, respectively. The ternary heterojunction photodegraded Rhodamine B under visible light within 60 min with much higher degradation efficiency (98 %) comparing with pure BiOBr, g-C3N4, and Bi2O2CO3. Radical trapping experiments and ESR results exhibited the main reactive species (·O2− and ·OH) during the degradation process. The formation of dual Z-scheme heterojunction improved the rate of charge separation, enhanced the absorption of visible light, and thus promoted the photocatalytic activity. The BiOBr/g-C3N4/Bi2O2CO3 photocatalysts are a promising material for the removal of dye in effluents.
Highlights
Rhodamine B (Rh B), is a widely used bright red cationic dye, can be seriously harmful to environment and wildlife, and is mutagenic and cancer-causing to humans[1]
A promising method is that constructing effective semiconductor Z-scheme heterojunctions to intensify photocatalytic activity by improving the efficiency of charge separation[6, 7]
XRD patterns in Fig. 1a displayed graphitic-like layered stacking g-C3N4 (JCPDS No 87-1526), tetragonal BiOBr (JCPDS NO. 78–0348) and tetragonal phase Bi2O2CO3 (JCPDS No 41-1488)[18,19,20]
Summary
Rhodamine B (Rh B), is a widely used bright red cationic dye, can be seriously harmful to environment and wildlife, and is mutagenic and cancer-causing to humans[1]. A promising method is that constructing effective semiconductor Z-scheme heterojunctions to intensify photocatalytic activity by improving the efficiency of charge separation[6, 7]. BiO2CO3 as a member of Aurivillius-based oxide family, has a twisted layered structure, which can provide a smooth transfer path for photogenerated electrons and holes, exhibits excellent catalytic activity, good stability and low toxicity, and is a class of photocatalysts with application potential[10, 13]. BiO2CO3 has a wide band gap, low utilization of visible light and low carrier separation efficiency[10], resulting in lower photocatalytic activity. The layered structures and different solubility constants of BiO2CO3 and BiOBr are easier to bind by simple ion exchange[16], thereby improving separation of photogenerated carriers and photocatalytic activity. The photocatalytic ability of Rh B degradation under visible light illumination was examined and the mechanism of the Z-scheme structure was eventually discussed
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