Sonochemical synthesis of CaBi6O10nanoplates: photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants (ciprofloxacin and methylene blue) and oxidizing species study (h+, OH·, H2O2and O2•-)

Abstract

BACKGROUND CaBi6O10 nanoplates were synthesized by a sonochemical method using a high-power ultrasonic processor. Also, the CaBi6O10 was synthesized by an impregnation-calcination method in order to compare the effect of the synthesis method on the photocatalytic activity of the photocatalyst. In addition, the role of the oxidizing species such as h+, OH•, H2O2 and O2•- was evaluated during the photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin (CPFX) and methylene blue (MB). RESULTS The sample synthesized sonochemically showed a morphology of nanoplates with a thickness around 50 nm and length 1.5 µm. Also, the sample showed the best photocatalytic activity (i.e. the sample with the highest surface area and a plate-like morphology), degrading CPFX by 56% and MB by 67%. The main species involved in the degradation of CPFX were the OH· radicals, and in the degradation of MB it was H2O2. CONCLUSIONS CaBi6O10 nanoplates were prepared successfully by a sonochemical method, showing the best photocatalytic activity in the degradation of CPFX and MB, mainly attributed to the morphology of the nanoplates. In addition, it was observed that the main species involved in the degradation of CPFX were the OH· radicals and in the degradation of MB, H2O2. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry