Immobilization of nonisolated BiPO4 particles onto PDMS/SiO2 composite for the photocatalytic degradation of dye pollutants

Abstract

In this study, a crack-free PDMS–SiO2–BiPO4 (P/Si/Bi) composite was prepared via a solgel-assisted route by dispersing pre-prepared bismuth oxybromide into a solution that was composed of hydroxyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS–OH), tetraethyl orthosilicate and phosphoric acid. Analysis via the FTIR, XRD, XPS and SEM–EDX techniques demonstrated that the nonisolated BiPO4 particles with a monoclinic crystal phase were uniformly distributed on the surface of the P/Si/Bi composite, which can provide more active sites and a larger surface area for photocatalysis compared with other materials. The photocatalytic activity of the P/Si/Bi composite loaded with various mass ratios of BiPO4 (9 wt%, 12 wt%, 18 wt% and 27 wt%) was investigated via the degradation of methylene blue (MB, 10 mg/L) under UV light irradiation. It was found that the P/Si/Bi composite loaded with 18 wt% BiPO4 realized the highest degradation efficiency of MB, and its corresponding apparent rate constant was approximately 2.2 times that of the PDMS–SiO2–TiO2 composite (loaded with 18 wt% TiO2). The effects of inorganic ions on the degradation of MB were also investigated. The static contact angle and photocatalytic activity of the P/Si/Bi composite changed minimally after five cyclic experiments, thereby demonstrating its remarkable durability in sustainable applications. In addition, the photogenerated reactive species that were responsible for the degradation of MB within the P/Si/Bi composite were identified, and a photocatalytic mechanism was proposed.