Decoration of Bi2MoO6 nanosheets with NH2-UiO-66 for boosting visible-light photocatalytic activities

Abstract

Constructing heterostructured photocatalysts for organic contaminants elimination is promising in the area of environmental purification. For boosting the photocatalytic performance, modulating the heterojunction interface can enhance solar light utilization and facilitate the transporation of photoinduced charge carriers. In this research, octahedral NH2-UiO-66 nanoparticles with large surface area and wide light absorption range were prepared and further employed to in-situ construction of NH2-UiO-66/Bi2MoO6 nanocomposite. The optimized NH2-UiO-66/Bi2MoO6 nanocomposite displays enhanced photocatalytic activities in the elimination of rhodamine B (RhB) and tetracycline (TC). The corresponding degradation rate constant is about 4 and 1.76 times larger than that of individual Bi2MoO6. Combined with the photochemical and electrochemical results, it can be speculated that the higher photocatalytic performance is assigned to the accelerative photoinduced carrier transfer by the formation of well-contacted heterostructured interface. This study provides a theoretical basis for further developing organic–inorganic hybrid catalyst with significant improvement of photocatalytic properties in wastewater treatment.