Magnetically separable Cd/CdS-ZnFe2O4/α-Fe2O3 Z-scheme heterostructure for boosting the photo-Fenton removal of antibiotic

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 988; p. 174319
• Main Authors: Zhu, Mengzhen, Li, Jiajia, Chen, Manhua, Li, Yi, Zhang, Qiao, Tang, Yuping, Wang, Qizhao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15-06-2024
• Subjects: Cd/CdS-ZnFe2O4/α-Fe2O3; Magnetic separation; Photo-Fenton degradation; Tetracycline; Z-scheme heterostructure; Z-scheme heterostructure; Photo-Fenton degradation; Magnetic separation; Cd/CdS-ZnFe2O4/α-Fe2O3; Tetracycline
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2024.174319

The photocatalytic degradation of antibiotic pollution under visible light is significant for environmental protection. However, developing photocatalysts that exhibit strong responsiveness to visible light, along with high efficiency and stability, poses a substantial challenge. In this study, we have successfully constructed Cd/CdS-ZnFe2O4/α-Fe2O3 heterostructured photocatalysts. ZnFe2O4/α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles would grow on the surface of Cd/CdS, which forms the Z-Scheme heterostructure. The samples were characterized by structure, morphology, elemental and electrochemical analysis. The results show that the Cd/CdS-ZnFe2O4/α-Fe2O3 catalyst has reached 91.72% tetracycline degradation performance in the photo-Fenton reaction. Through the experimental results and the energy band position, the internal Z-scheme heterojunction reaction mechanism of improving photo-Fenton degradation performance was proposed. This research would contribute to advancing the rational design and synthesis of heterojunction photocatalysts for efficient antibiotic removal under visible light.
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•The Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst Cd/CdS-ZnFe2O4/α-Fe2O3(CCZF) was prepared.•CCZF shows the stable and effective degradation of tetracycline and mixed antibiotics through the photo-Fenton process.•A comprehensive explanation of the CCZF Z-scheme heterostructure's photo-Fenton degradation mechanism was proposed.