Preparation Bi 2S 3–TiO 2 heterojunction/polymer fiber composites and its photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue under Xe lamp irradiation

Abstract

This paper presented the preparation of Bi 2S 3–TiO 2 heterojunction/polymer fiber composites and their performance of the degradation of methylene blue using Xe lamp irradiation. The polysulphone (PSU)/styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer (SMA) fibers were prepared by electrospinning. Bismuth ions were introduced onto the surface of polymer fiber by the coordinating of carboxyl of SMA, sulfide ions were incorporated to react with bismuth ions under hydrothermal condition. TiO 2 was deposited on the surface of the Bi 2S 3 by the reaction of titanium ions with urea also under hydrothermal condition. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) images revealed that Bi 2S 3–TiO 2 heterojunction was uniformly distributed on the surface of PSU/SMA fibers. The ultraviolet–visible absorption spectra (UV/VIS) showed that the Bi 2S 3–TiO 2 heterojunction/polymer fiber composites possess good visible-light response ability. The degradation rate of methylene blue in Bi 2S 3–TiO 2 heterojunction/polymer fiber composites system was considerably higher than that of Degussa P25 or Bi 2S 3–TiO 2 heterojunction system under Xe lamp irradiation.