Abstract
A series of hierarchical α-Bi2O3-BiVO4-CuFe2O4 multijunction heterostructure was designed by integrating one-pot MOF derived Bi2O3-BiVO4 microrods with CuFe2O4 nanosheets. The MOF-derived route afforded Bi2O3-BiVO4 with interconnecting porous architecture. Comprehensive investigations revealed preservation of crystalline phases, optimal light harvesting ability, higher lifetime, large electrochemically active surface area and improved charge dynamics. The heterostructure efficiently performed the photo-degradation of potentially toxic and mutagenic mesotrione (MTE) herbicide with rates 6–12 times greater than the parent semiconductors. The photo-degraded end products displayed profoundly less acute toxicity, bioaccumulation factor and mutagenic nature than parent MTE as analyzed by QSAR protocol. The heterostructure was equally effective for complete photo-inactivation of E. coli bacteria within 60 min of irradiation. SEM, AFM height profile and confocal microscopic investigation provided crucial information about the photo-inactivation process. A conjugated S-scheme electron transfer mechanism was proposed based on detailed band structure analysis to elucidate the improved activity of the multijunction photocatalyst.
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