Fabrication of 2D/1D Bi2WO6/C3N5 heterojunctions for efficient antibiotics removal

Abstract

Photocatalysis is a hopeful way to treat antibiotics-containing wastewater, but its practical application is impeded by the lack of high-performance photocatalysts for now. In the present work, a 2D/1D Bi 2 WO 6 /C 3 N 5 heterojunction photocatalyst was fabricated through a hydrothermal route, and applied to the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH). The Bi 2 WO 6 /C 3 N 5 nanocomposites showed superior catalytic activity, compared with a single counterpart. The apparent TCH degradation kinetic constant achieved by the optimized Bi 2 WO 6 /C 3 N 5 nanocomposite was 7.7 times that achieved by Bi 2 WO 6 and 262 times that achieved by C 3 N 5 . Moreover, the influences of the dosage of Bi 2 WO 6 /C 3 N 5 , the initial concentration and pH of TCH solution, and the presence of anions on the photocatalytic TCH degradation were investigated. In addition, the TCH degradation pathway was studied. The collaborative results of X-ray photoelectron spectra, band structure determination, active species capturing experiments, and spin-trapping electron paramagnetic resonance spectra revealed a direct Z -scheme photocatalytic mechanism of Bi 2 WO 6 /C 3 N 5 . • 2D/1D Bi 2 WO 6 /C 3 N 5 heterostructures were successfully fabricated for the first time. • The apparent kinetic constant of the optimized sample was greatly enhanced as compared to a single component. • Factors affecting the tetracycline hydrochloride photodegradation were investigated. • The separation of the photoinduced charge carriers was efficiently promoted. • A possible direct Z-scheme photocatalytic mechanism was proposed.