Photocatalytic Degradation Of Tetracycline Research Articles

Synergistic adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline using a Z-scheme kaolin/g-C3N4/MoO3 nanocomposite: A sustainable approach for water treatment

This research focuses on the synthesis and application of a novel kaolin-supported g-C3N4/MoO3 nanocomposite for the degradation of tetracycline, an important antibiotic contaminant in water systems. The nanocomposite was prepared through a facile and environmentally friendly approach, leveraging the adsorption and photocatalytic properties of kaolin, g-C3N4 and MoO3 nanoparticles, respectively. Comprehensive characterization of the nanocomposite was conducted using techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and optical spectra. The surface parameters were studied using N2 adsorption-desorption isotherm. The elemental composition was studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The efficiency of the developed nanocomposite in tetracycline degradation was evaluated and the results revealed an efficient tetracycline degradation exhibiting the synergistic effects of adsorption and photocatalytic degradation in the removal process. The tetracycline degradation was achieved in 60 min. Kinetic studies and thermodynamic analyses provided insights into the degradation mechanism, suggesting potential applications for the nanocomposite in wastewater treatment. Additionally, the recyclability and stability of the nanocomposite were investigated, demonstrating its potential for sustainable and long-term application in water treatment.

Construction of Mn0.3Cd0.7S/FeNi8-LDH S-scheme heterojunction for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline under visible light

The widespread application of antibiotics, such as tetracycline (TC), has led to severe environmental problems. Herein, the rod-like Mn0.3Cd0.7S (MCS) coupled with flower-like FeNi8-LDH self-assembled from nanosheets S-scheme heterojunction is successfully constructed by a simple physical ultrasonic-assisted combined with a grinding method. The optimized MCS/30FeNi8-LDH heterojunction exhibits excellent photocatalytic degradation of TC under visible light with a removal rate of 72.5% within 30min along with excellent cycling stability, which enhanced 14.5 and 1.68 times compared to those of pristine FeNi8-LDH and MCS. The correlation between S-scheme heterojunction and photocatalysis performance clarify the rapidly transfer pathway of photogenerated carriers between MCS and FeNi8-LDH. The trapping experiment confirms •O2- and h+ are the primary active species, with h+ playing a dominant role in the degradation process. The enhanced photocatalytic degradation performance can be attributed to the formation of S-scheme heterojunction with well-matched band alignment, which remains the powerful reduction capability of generated electrons of FeNi8-LDH and more robust oxidation capability of photogenerated holes of MCS. This work not only provides a potential solution for photocatalysis degrading TC, but also expands the S-scheme heterojunction construced strategy to the realm of energy storage and conversion.

Synthesis and Characterization of WO3/BiVO4/Graphene Ternary Nanocomposites for the Photodegradation of Methlyene Blue and Tetracycline

In this study, a hydrothermal method was employed to synthesize the ternary nanocomposites comprising WO3/BiVO4/Graphene, all driven by visible light. The characteristics of these nanocomposites were interpreted through techniques such as UV–Vis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). The enhanced performance of the composite, attributed to its heightened capability for separating charge carriers, outperformed that of the individual semiconductor components. The PL results validated the composite's improved charge separation. The nanocomposites have weaker PL peaks, indicating slower e−/h+ recombination. The balanced concentrations of the mixed semiconductors in the composite affected both PL intensity and photodegradation efficiency. The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) and tetracycline (TC) was observed by nanocomposites. The heterogeneous nanocomposite WOBV/G-5 with 0.03 mg graphene content has a better photocatalytic activity for both MB (63 %) and TC (80 %) than other concentrations. It has also been investigated using TOC and COD analysis. Moreover, zeta potential analysis and pH analysis have been done to check the conductivity of optimized photocatalyst. Additionally, to check the stability of WOBV/G-5 photocatalyst, recyclability test that shows 58 % degradation rate after five cycles and analysis of XRD after recyclability have also been performed. Role of active species (h+, O2−, and OH.) was observed by using different scavengers (EDTA, BQ, and IPA) in trapping experiment that plays a vital role in photocatalytic degradation process.

Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline by Magnetically Separable g-C3N4-Doped Magnetite@Titanium Dioxide Heterostructured Photocatalyst

Residual drug pollutants in water environments represent a severe risk to human health, so developing a cheap, environmentally friendly, and effective photocatalyst to deal with them has become a hot topic. Herein, a magnetically separable Fe3O4@TiO2/g-C3N4 photocatalyst with a special heterojunction structure was fabricated, and its photocatalytic performance was assessed by degrading tetracycline (TC). Compared to Fe3O4@TiO2, the synthesized Fe3O4@TiO2/g-C3N4 exhibited superior TC degradation performance, which was primarily ascribed to the heterojunction formed between TiO2 and g-C3N4 and its ability to enhance the visible light absorption capacity and reduce the photoinduced electron/hole recombination rate. Moreover, a free radical capture experiment further confirmed that·O2− and h+ are the predominant components in the TC degradation reaction. Under UV–Vis irradiation, the TC degradation rate escalated to as high as 98% within 120 min. Moreover, Fe3O4@TiO2/g-C3N4 was demonstrated to be easily recovered by magnetic separation without any notable loss even after five cycles, showing exceptional stability and reusability. These findings indicate that Fe3O4@TiO2/g-C3N4 is a promising photocatalyst for environmental remediation that may provide a sustainable approach to degrading antibiotic pollutants in wastewater.

CQDs modified Bi2MoO6/CuS p–n heterojunction photocatalytic efficient degradation of tetracycline

CQDs modified Bi2MoO6/CuS p–n heterojunction photocatalytic efficient degradation of tetracycline

Construction of functionalized In-based metal organic framework/BiOCl1−xIx Z-scheme heterojunction for efficient photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline: Performance and mechanism

The environmental implications of antibiotics have drawn widespread attention. Numerous monomer-based bismuth oxide halide catalysts have been extensively studied to remove tetracycline (TC) from aquatic environments. Integrating bismuth oxide halide composites with In-based metal organic framework (NH2-MIL-68(In)) might potentially serve as a novel strategy. By meticulously adjusting Cl and I within the composite bismuth halide oxide (B-x), a suite of purpose built heterojunctions (NMB-x) were synthesized, which were engineered to facilitate the efficient photodegradation of TC in simulated and actual aquatic environments. The incorporation of Z-scheme heterojunctions yielded a significant enhancement in photocatalytic responsiveness and charge carrier separation. Notably, NMB-0.3 demonstrated remarkable TC removal efficiency of 88.52 ± 3.05%, which is 3.74 times of B-0.3 within 90 min. The apparent quantum yield was also increased from 8.97% (B-0.3) to 19.68% (NMB-0.3). The removal of TC from natural water bodies was also assessed. Moreover, the photocatalyst concentration, assessed using response surface method, was found to show influential factors on TC removal. In addition, density functional theory (DFT) simulations were employed to identify vulnerable sites within TC. Intermediates and pathways in the photodegradation of TC have also been inferred. Furthermore, a comprehensive environmental toxicity assessment of representative intermediates demonstrated that these intermediates exhibited significantly reduced environmental toxicity compared to TC. This study provides a new approach to the design strategy of efficient and environmentally friendly MOF-based photocatalysts.

Visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline using citric acid and lemon juice-derived carbon quantum dots incorporated TiO2 nanocomposites

Tetracyclines (TC) are consistently found in aquatic ecosystems, contributing to the development and spread of antibiotic resistance genes and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This poses adverse effects on aquatic organisms and humans, emphasizing the need for an effective approach to remove these contaminants. TiO2-based photocatalysts hold great potential for efficiently removing TC from water. This study aimed to synthesize TiO2 nanocomposites incorporated with carbon quantum dots (CQDs) derived from both artificial and natural sources. The nanocomposites were characterized using X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and N2 adsorption–desorption test. The incorporation of CQDs into TiO2 resulted in the reduction of the band gap energy from 3.17 eV in pure TiO2 to 3.10 eV, broadening the light absorption range, and improving the charge carrier transfer efficiency. Continuously generated electrons led to the production of reactive oxygen species, predominantly •O2–, contributing to TC degradation. Holes and •OH radicals also played a significant role in TC degradation. As a result, CQDs/TiO2 nanocomposites exhibited 91.5 % TC removal under visible light irradiation (λ ≥ 400 nm) for 120 min at pH 8. The active sites of TC molecules were determined through density function theory calculations, and the corresponding degradation pathways of TC were proposed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Furthermore, this study attempted to synthesize CQDs using lemon juice, showcasing the potential of these eco-friendly photocatalysts for TC removal. The visible-light-driven degradation of TC by the natural-source-derived CQDs/TiO2 nanocomposites demonstrated their applicability in water treatment to effectively address current environmental challenges.

Fabricating of Pd and Ni bimetal modified halloysite nanotube composite and its application for photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline

Tetracycline (TC) is extensively employed as a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent, and its byproducts have been identified in a variety of water bodies, posing a significant risk to both aquatic ecosystems and human health. Among the prevalent techniques for treating water contaminants, photodegradation stands out. In this research, we synthesized a novel nanocomposite material, embedding bimetallic nanoparticles onto halloysite nanotubes (HNT) (Pd@Ni/N-HNT), aimed at photocatalytically degrading TC. The Pd@Ni/N-HNT demonstrated the capability to enhance the TC degradation efficiency to 100 % under visible light for a duration of 120 min, effectively doubling the performance of pure H2O2 degradation. The influence of pH levels in aquatic environments on the TC degradation efficiency was explored. Through electron spin resonance (EPR) studies and free radical scavenging tests, it was verified that •O2− and h+ are pivotal in the degradation process. Furthermore, Pd@Ni/N-HNT showcased effective degradation capabilities in both tap and river water, achieving degradation rates exceeding 70 % in 120 min and 95 % in 180 min, respectively. This investigation not only sheds light on the potential of utilizing Pd@Ni/N-HNT as a potent catalyst for the photocatalytic degradation of TC but also offers a comprehensive framework for the future development of nanomaterials aimed at the environmental remediation of organic pollutants. The findings herein provide a pivotal reference and guide for advancing the application of nanotechnology in the purification of water, thereby contributing to the safeguarding of aquatic ecosystems and public health.

Fabrication of p–n Cu2O/CaWO4 heterojunctions for the efficient degradation of tetracycline and doxycycline

Copper oxide/calcium tungsten oxide (Cu2O/CaWO4) was synthesized via simple hydrothermal synthesis and analyzed via spectral techniques for the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline and doxycycline, two antibiotics. An optimized ratio of Cu2O/CaWO4(7:1) showed the best photoelectrochemical performance, which degraded 91.0 % and 92.2 % tetracycline and doxycycline, respectively, in 60 min under visible light. Holes and electrons were generated at the Cu2O/CaWO4 interface owing to the formation of p–n heterojunction, which induced a built-in electric field inside the composite catalyst, which showed better activity than those of Cu2O and CaWO4 monomers. The degradation of tetracycline by the recycled composite catalyst Cu2O/CaWO4(7:1) maintained 70.0 % efficiency after 5 cycles, indicating the stability of the catalyst

Three-Dimensional Highly Porous MoS2/Graphene Aerogel for Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline

Three-Dimensional Highly Porous MoS₂/Graphene Aerogel for Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline

Interfacial engineering between carbon vacancies modified graphitic carbon nitride and CoAl-LDH formed heterojunctions for improved photocatalytic performance: Degradation pathway, DFT calculations, and mechanism insights

The construction of green, low-cost heterojunctions with interfacial interaction is crucial to enhance their photocatalytic performance and broaden their utility in practical applications. Here, we prepared CoAl-LDH/Carbon Nitride with carbon vacancies (Cv-CN) heterojunction by electrostatic self-assembly strategy to explore its photocatalytic properties. 30 wt% CoAl-LDH/70 wt% Cv-CN (CCN-2) exhibited the optimal photocatalytic degradation performance after 120 min of light exposure, with a degradation efficiency of 93.1 %. Fukui function calculations, in conjunction with LC-MS/MS analysis, were employed to explore potential degradation pathways during the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline. The photocatalytic performance of CoAl-LDH/Cv-CN heterojunction was further analyzed by photocatalytic hydrogen production experiments, and after five hours, the hydrogen production rate of CCN-2 was 2515 µmol/g (Cv-CN: 1554 µmol/g, CoAl-LDH: hardly produced any hydrogen). According to the experimental results and data analysis, an effective charge-carrier separation and transfer pathway is established through the interfacial engineering between CoAl-LDH and Cv-CN forming the heterojunction at the interface of CoAl-LDH and Cv-CN. The heterojunction structure formed by interfacial engineering between CoAl-LDH and Cv-CN enables effective photocatalytic removal of antibiotics and hydrogen production providing new insights into the treatment of aqueous environments and clean energy production.

Significantly enhanced photocatalytic performance of the W-Zr-MOF-NH2@TpTt-COF heterostructure for tetracycline removal by defects engineering

A hollow heterojunction of W-Zr-MOF-NH2@TpTt-COF (WZT) was fabricated by combining etched W-Zr-MOF-NH2 with TpTt-COF. WZT, synthesized through acid etching and hydrothermal methods, showed better tetracycline degradation than pure W-Zr-MOF-NH2 and pure TpTt-COF due to its larger specific surface area and more active sites. The surface of WZT contains abundant oxygen vacancies (OVs) that capture electrons, promoting the separation of photogenerated e--h+ pairs and increasing WZT’s photocatalytic activity. WZT (1:1, mass) showed 87% degradation of tetracycline under 300 W Xenon lamp irradiation. The results of cycling experiments demonstrated the high stability and reusability of WZT (1:1), making it feasible for production. The excellent photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline by WZT (1:1) originates from the formation of heterojunctions and the presence of surface OVs, which reduces the strong photogenerated e--h+ complexation efficiency. Possible photocatalytic degradation mechanisms are proposed while demonstrating the formation of Z-scheme heterojunction in WZT, which aligned with the experimental results of electron spin resonance (ESR). The tetracycline oxidative decomposition process involves the participation of •OH, 1O2, •O2-, e-, and h+ as proven by ESR and radical trapping experiments. This work proposes a research idea to prepare high-performance photocatalysts with MOF@COF type, featuring OVs-rich and Z-scheme heterojunctions.

Simultaneous photocatalytic removal of tetracycline and hexavalent chromium by BiVO4/0.6CdS photocatalyst: Insights into the performance, evaluation, calculation and mechanism

In this study, a novel Z-scheme heterojunction on bismuth vanadium/cadmium sulfide (BiVO4/0.6CdS) was developed and evaluated for simultaneous photocatalytic removal of combined tetracycline (TC) and hexavalent chromium Cr(Ⅵ) pollution under visible light. Based on the analysis of intermediate products and theoretical calculation, the property of the intermediate products of TC degradation and the effect of built-in electric field (IEF) of composite materials on photo-generated carrier separation were illustrated. According to the experiments and evaluation results, the performance of BiVO4/0.6CdS is higher than CdS 2.83 times and 4.82 times under the visible light conditions, with the aspect of simultaneous oxidizing TC and reducing Cr(Ⅵ), respectively. The catalyst has a faster removal rate in the binary composite pollution system than the single one. Therefore, the photocatalytic degradation of TC using BiVO4/0.6CdS can reduce the toxic effect of TC on the environment. The aforementioned evaluation provides a new design strategy for Z-scheme heterojunction to simultaneous photocatalytic degradation of composite organic and inorganic pollutants.

Facile synthesis of nano CeO2/sepiolite composite as visible-light-driven photocatalyst for rapid tetracycline removal

A novel CeO2/sepiolite (CeO2/SEP) composite with sepiolite as the support of CeO2 was successfully prepared using a simple ammonia precipitation method for the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline (TC) by loading CeO2 nanoparticles on sepiolite. The analytical results showed that CeO2/SEP had good crystallization, and CeO2 nanoparticles were deposited on the surface of fibrous sepiolite. The composite photocatalyst with 50 % CeO2 loading presented the highest tetracycline degradation efficiency (92.7 %), and the reaction rate constant was 4.88 times greater than that of pure CeO2. In addition, quenching experiments showed that the main reactive active species included photogenerated holes (h+) and superoxide radical anions(O2·-).Furthermore, the enhanced photodegradation mechanisms and the possible degradation pathways of TC were also systematically discussed. The investigating results show that the enhanced photocatalytic performance was mainly due to the uniform attachment of CeO2 with smaller particle size on the surface of sepiolite, which increased the specific surface area of the photocatalyst and promoted the redox cycle of Ce3+/Ce4+ to generate more reactive free radicals. It can be concluded that this study offers a new potential option for efficient photodegradation of antibiotics in wastewater based on the visible-light-driven mineral based photocatalyst.

Efficient visible light-based photocatalytic performance for tetracycline degradation by novel dual z-type ZnO nanorods /Bi2MoO6 /ZIF-67 heterostructure: Mechanism and water matrix investigation

BackgroundContamination of water with antibiotics poses environmental challenges. Photocatalytic semiconductor heterostructure technologies prove effective in water purification, particularly in eliminating pharmaceutical pollutants. Achieving high-quality heterostructures remains a considerable challenge. MethodsZnO/Bi2MoO6/ZIF-67 photocatalyst was synthesized using the ambient temperature method and characterized through XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDX, TEM, UV–vis DRS, TGA, PL, and BET analyses.Significant findings: The novel ZnO/Bi2MoO6/ZIF-67 photocatalyst's efficacy in degrading tetracycline under visible light was evaluated. The optimal composite molar ratio of ZnO: Bi2MoO6: ZIF-67 was found to be 1:0.6:0.157, exhibiting superior photocatalytic performance compared to ZnO, Bi2MoO6, and ZIF-67. With ZnO/Bi2MoO6/ZIF-67, the highest removal efficiency of tetracycline reached 90.3 % under ideal conditions (catalyst dose = 0.4 g/L, pH = 6.5, irradiation time= 90 min, tetracycline concentration = 40 mg/L). The photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline follows first-order kinetics. The trapping experiments showed that OH• and •O2– species played a beneficial role in enhancing the photodegradation process.

Modulation of CdS nanoparticles decorated bimetallic Fe/Mn-MOFs Z-scheme heterojunctions for enhancing photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline

Structural design on photocatalysts is of great importance to improve the activity for the degradation of organic contamination. Currently, the key to developing sustainable photocatalytic technology is streamlining the preparation process and effectively expanding the active sites. To solve this issue, the coupling of crystalline Fe/Mn-MOF and CdS particles through a controlled self-assembly hydrothermal routine was well favored for the uniform growth of CdS particles on the surface of Fe/Mn-MOF to achieve more reactive sites and photogenerated carrier migration. Simultaneously, modulated bandgap engineering and Z-scheme heterojunction were applied to disclose the photo-oxidative mechanism. The bimetallic Fe/Mn-MOF@CdS catalyst exhibited enhanced activity for tetracycline removal compared to the individual Fe/Mn-MOF (NBM2) at 7.47% and CdS at 78.71%, the photocatalysis efficiency could reach 90.95% over 160 min with a mineralization rate of 51.9%. This arises from the enhancement of light absorption and electron transfer facilitated by heterojunctions, as well as the increased active sites promoting photocatalytic activity. Key species involved in the photocatalysis were captured using different trapping agents. The primary reactive species •O2– was identified to play an indispensable role in tetracycline removal. Furthermore, the 22 intermediates involved in degradation were evaluated by toxicity. The study opens a new avenue for the fabrication of bimetallic photocatalysts with a novel degradation mechanism, which would be instructive for the development of photocatalysis applications.

Fabrication of Ag-decorated La0.9Ag0.1FeO3 for efficient photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline under visible light with the assistance of water oxidation

The photocatalytic conversion of molecular O2 into reactive oxygen species, such as superoxide radicals (·O2-), has become the focus in the oxidative removal of organic pollutants. Nevertheless, the inefficient light absorption, limited adsorption of O2, and the fast recombination rate of photo-induced electron-hole pairs considerably impede the conversion efficiency of the photocatalysts. Herein, we report the synthesis of Ag@LAFO photocatalyst, which contains Ag nanoparticles (NPs)-decorated LAFO (Ag-substituted LaFeO3), to enhance the photodegradation efficiency of tetracycline (TC) with the assistance of water oxidation. Structural and spectroscopic analyses confirmed the successful decoration of Ag NPs on LAFO, which was prepared by substituting 10 % La with Ag. The efficiency of TC photocatalytic degradation rate of Ag@LAFO is 76.25 %, which is 6.1-fold higher than that of pure LFO (12.41 %). The trapping experiment of active radicals verified that ·O2- was crucial in the decomposition of TC molecules and was continuously supplied by the reduction of O2 molecules supported by photocatalytic water oxidation. Moreover, the Ag NPs in Ag@LAFO were found to be crucial for boosting the capture of photo-induced electrons and the activation of adsorbed O2. This study offers a new perspective on the conversion of O2 to ·O2- with the assistance of photocatalytic water oxidation for photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants.

BiOBr/Cu2S p-n heterojunction for efficient photodegradation of ciprofloxacin and tetracycline under visible light

With the increasing needs of people for a better life, the problem of water resources pollution has attracted wide attention. The construction of p-n heterojunction is an effective strategy to promote the removal of pollutants by photocatalysts. In this work, a series of BiOBr/Cu2S heterojunction photocatalysts with mass ratios of Cu2S have been synthesized successfully by a hydrothermal method combined with grinding method for photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline (TC) and ciprofloxacin (CIP). The results showed that BiOBr/Cu2S exhibited superior photodegradation efficiency of TC and ciprofloxacin CIP than BiOBr and Cu2S monomers. When the mass ratio of Cu2S is 0.15 %, the visible degradation of CIP and TC are 79.2 % in 90 min and 88.5% in 60 min. In addition, the effects of different inorganic ions and pH value on the photocatalytic performance of BiOBr/Cu2S were investigated. It was proved that superoxide free radical (•O2-) was the main active species by free radical trapping experiment. The photocatalytic degradation process was further evaluated by total organic carbon and mass spectrometry tests. This work provides a feasible construction strategy for photocatalysts with potential application in water resources pollutants.

Platinum-modified bismuth molybdate flake balls as visible-light-responsive photocatalyst

Solar photocatalysis is considered as one of the best methods for “green” purification of environment. Accordingly, efficient, stable, and low-price materials must be developed for possible commercial application. Herein, flower-like bismuth molybdate (Bi2MoO6) photocatalysts were successfully synthesized by CTAB-assisted hydrothermal process, and then surface modified with platinum by photodeposition. The obtained materials were characterized by various methods, including XRD, DRS, XPS, SEM, TEM, ESR, photoluminescence spectroscopy and photoelectrochemical tests. Photocatalytic activity was tested mainly for tetracycline (TC) antibiotic degradation under visible-light irradiation (λ > 420 nm), including scavenger tests and experiments for different operation conditions (TC concentration, photocatalyst dose, pH value, in the presence of inorganic salts, water taken from different reservoirs). It has been found that the best photocatalyst containing 0.5 wt% of platinum exhibits 94.2 % TC removal during 60-min visible-light irradiation, reaching the reaction rate constant of 0.0392 min−1 (exceeding the data reported up to now). It is proposed that exceptional photocatalytic performance is caused by the synergy between the uniform flower structure (efficient light harvesting and large specific surface area) and double function of platinum deposits, i.e., as a sink for electrons (hindering charge carriers’ recombination) and a plasmonic sensitizer (allowing energy transfer from excited platinum to oxygen). Superoxide radicals (•O2−) are the main oxidation species, as proven by the quenching experiments and EPR analysis. However, in the case of platinum-modified samples, singlet oxygen plays also an important role, and thus an energy transfer from plasmonic platinum to oxygen could be expected. Additionally, TC degradation pathways, elucidated by the detection of intermediates, and the toxicity data (TC and its degradation products), assessed by a quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) method, have confirmed that photocatalytic degradation of TC is indeed an environmental-friendly method, highly recommended for the decomposition of persistent organic compounds.

Preparation and characterization of AgVO3/Ag4V2O7/BiOI double S-scheme heterojunctions for the photocatalytic degradation of methylene orange and tetracycline

A novel visible-light-driven AgVO3/Ag4V2O7/BiOI (AVO/AVO7/BOI) double S-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst was prepared by loading rod-like AgVO3 and BiOI plates onto irregular hexagons of Ag4V2O7. The morphologies, optical properties, and energy band structures of the prepared photocatalysts were studied using a series of characterization methods. When the mass ratio of BOI is 45%, the photocatalytic performance of AVO/AVO7/BOI is the best, and it can completely remove methylene orange and tetracycline within 80 minutes with excellent recyclability. The enhanced photoactivity could be due to the irregular hexagonal morphology and composition of the terpolymer heterojunction, which provide more active sites and promote the separation of photogenerated carriers. Finally, density functional theory calculations further confirmed the mechanism of photocatalytic degradation. This study provides a facile strategy for the design and synthesis of silver vanadate-based photocatalysts to photodegrade organic pollutants in water.