Construction of nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped graphene quantum dots/Bi5O7I composites for accelerated charge separation and enhanced photocatalytic degradation performance

Abstract

Nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped graphene quantum dot-modified Bi5O7I (NPG/Bi5O7I) nanorods were fabricated via a simple solvothermal method. The morphology, structure, and optical properties of the as-prepared samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and diffused reflectance spectroscopy. The photocatalytic performance was estimated by degrading the broad-spectrum antibiotics tetracycline and enrofloxacin under visible light irradiation. The photodegradation activity of Bi5O7I improved after its surface was modified with NPGs, which was attributed to an increase in the photogenerated charge transport rate and a decrease in the electron-hole pair recombination efficiency. From the electron spin resonance spectra, XPS valence band data, and free radical trapping experiment results, the main active substances involved in the photocatalytic degradation process were determined to be photogenerated holes and superoxide radicals. A possible photocatalytic degradation mechanism for NPG/Bi5O7I nanorods was proposed.