Abstract
Finding efficient photocatalysts with strong redox properties and near-infrared (NIR) light response is still a challenge for the photocatalytic removal of antibiotics. Herein, Z-scheme CuBi2O4−x/Bi2O2−xCO3 heterojunctions with oxygen vacancies (OVs) and Bi3+/Bi5+ were prepared by the hydrothermal and self-assembly methods. The formation of Z-scheme heterojunction benefited from the built-in electric field formed by the charge density difference at the interface. 81 %/80 % of tetracycline and 53 %/52 % of the total organic carbon can be reduced by the heterojunction under vis/NIR light, and the degradation efficiencies were 16/9.8 and 3.8/4.1 times that of CuBi2O4 and Bi2O2CO3, respectively. After 1 h of NIR illumination, the small molecule (m/z = 60) can be detected in the tetracycline degradation solution, but it cannot be detected after 1 h of visible illumination. The prominent performance improvement of the heterojunction can be explained by the synergistic effects of Z-scheme heterojunction, the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect of OVs, the photoexcitation cycles of Bi3+/Bi5+, and the strong light absorption property of CuBi2O4 with a narrow band gap in vis-NIR range. This work provides a novel idea for the design and application of the full-spectrum driven Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts using semiconductors with a narrow band gap.
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