Self-assembled leaf architecture of 3D tremella-like (BiOCOOH)x(Bi2MoO6)1-x solid solution nanophotocatalyst with effective photodegradation of medication effluent in sun spectrum: In-situ ultrasound-induced solvothermal design

Abstract

The novel (BiOCOOH)x(Bi2MoO6)1-x solid solution as nanophotocatalysts (0 ≤ x ≤ 1), with unique 3D, tremella-like architecture containing self-assembled leaf-like nanosheets have been synthesized through in situ ultrasound-induced solvothermal technique to photodegrade medication effluents under simulated sunlight irradiation. Besides, the efficacy of ultrasound microjets was evaluated. To elucidate the promoted photocatalytic function of the (BiOCOOH)0.25(Bi2MoO6)0.75-US as an optimal nanophotocatalyst, Ultraviolet–Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller and Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BET-BJH), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy-Dot mapping (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and photoluminescence (PL) analyses were conducted. BET-BJH analysis of the mentioned photocatalyst released suitable porosity, pore volume, and surface area, which are important factors. UV–Vis DRS of (BiOCOOH)0.25(Bi2MoO6)0.75-US illuminated the absorption edge at 465.6 nm, indicating the capability of producing electron-hole pairs in a larger area. Furthermore, its morphology analyses demonstrated the tremella-like architecture consisting of nanosheets as self-assembled leaf-like nanosheets. The photodegradation of ofloxacin, tetracycline hydrochloride and levofloxacin over (BiOCOOH)0.25(Bi2MoO6)0.75-US was obtained 94.7, 82.2, and 80.5%, respectively, due to the impact of the solid solution structure and ultrasound microjets leading to the effectual mass transfer and adsorption of contaminant molecules, effective harvesting/penetration of the light, and desirable happening of reduction and oxidation surface reactions.