Abstract
Promoting the separation of photogenerated charges and enhanced optical absorption capacity is the main means to modify photocatalytic capacities to advance semiconductor photocatalyst applications. For the first time, a novel ternary photocatalyst for dual Z-scheme system AgBr/LaNiO3/g-C3N4 (ALG) was prepared via a modest ultrasound-assisted hydrothermal method. The results indicated that LaNiO3 nanoballs and AgBr nanoparticles were successfully grown on the surface of g-C3N4 nanosheets. A dual Z-scheme photocatalytic reaction system could be constructed based on the energy band matching within AgBr, LaNiO3 and g-C3N4. Metallic Ag during the photocatalytic reaction process acted as the active electrons transfer center to enhance the photocatalytic charge pairs separation. The chemical composition of ALG was optimized and composites with 3% AgBr, 30% LaNiO3 and 100% g-C3N4 which was noted as 3-ALG displayed the best photocatalytic performance. A total of 92% of norfloxacin (NOR) was photodegraded within two hours over ALG and the photodegradation rate remained >90% after six cycles. The main active species during the degradation course were photogenerated holes, superoxide radical anion and hydroxyl radical. A possible mechanism was proposed based on the synergetic effects within AgBr, LaNiO3 and g-C3N4. This work would offer a credible theoretical basis for the application of dual Z-scheme photocatalysts in environment restoration.
Highlights
In previous decades, antibiotics were widely used for the treatment and prevention of bacterial infections in human and animal healthcare
It was obvious that the diffraction peaks of AgBr, g-C3 N4, and LaNiO3 as-prepared, were matched well with standard PDF card AgBr (JCPDS 64-38) [27], g-C3 N4 (JCPDS 87-1526) [28], and LaNiO3 (JPCDS 33-0711) [29], respectively
The characteristic peaks of AgBr found at 26.92◦, 31.01◦, 44.39◦, 52.66◦, 55.18◦, 64.58◦, and 73.32◦ corresponded to (111), (200), (220), (311), (222) and (400) crystal faces, the diffraction peaks of g-C3 N4 could be investigated at 13.02◦ and 27.56◦
Summary
Antibiotics were widely used for the treatment and prevention of bacterial infections in human and animal healthcare. A large number of antibiotic wastewater is discharged into the environment without appreciating treatment [1]. The fluoroquinolone antibiotic, norfloxacin (NOR), which was extensively used as a therapeutic and prophylactic antimicrobial agent in clinical medical treatment, aquaculture, and animal husbandry [2]. NOR has been detected in rivers, lakes and ground water [3]. The continuous accumulation of NOR can damage the security and stability of the natural environment. Numerous researches had found that semiconductor photocatalytic technology can be efficacious means of solving the growing environmental pollution and energy crisis around the world [4,5,6,7]
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