Dual Z-scheme MoS2/g-C3N4/Bi24O31Cl10 ternary heterojunction photocatalysts for enhanced visible-light photodegradation of antibiotic

Abstract

In this study, to remarkably enhance the photocatalytic efficiency of Bi24O31Cl10 (BOC), MoS2 (MS) and g-C3N4 (CN) were selected to co-modify Bi24O31Cl10 to synthesize a dual Z-scheme CN/MS/BOC ternary heterojunction photocatalyst by the impregnation-calcination method. The as-prepared CN/MS/BOC catalyst was used to decompose tetracycline (TC) solution under simulated visible-light irradiation. The synthesized dual Z-scheme CN/MS/BOC ternary heterojunction could remarkably improve the photocatalysis efficiency of BOC. The optimal CN/MS/BOC catalyst could remove 97.5% of TC in 50 min under visible-light irradiation, which was 5.38, 1.96, and 2.51 folds that of the BOC, CN/BOC, and MS/BOC catalysts, respectively. Based on the characterization results, photocatalytic performance toward TC degradation, radical species quenching, and testing results, the enhanced photocatalytic activity of CN/MS/BOC was ascribed to the improved optical absorption performance, accelerated separation and transportation of the electron–hole pairs, and strong redox capability derived from the dual Z-scheme heterostructure of CN/MS/BOC. Therefore, this study can provide important insights for the rational synthesis of ternary photocatalysts for environment remediation.