Rational design of α-Fe2O3 nanocubes supported BiVO4 Z-scheme photocatalyst for photocatalytic degradation of antibiotic under visible light

• Published in: Journal of colloid and interface science Vol. 581; pp. 514 - 522
• Main Authors: Ma, Changchang, Lee, Jeongwoo, Kim, Youjoong, Cheol Seo, Won, Jung, Hyun, Yang, Woochul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01-01-2021
• Subjects: BiVO4/α-Fe2O3; Nanocubes; Photocatalytic degradation; Tetracycline hydrochloride; Z-scheme heterojunction; Photocatalytic degradation; Tetracycline hydrochloride; BiVO4/α-Fe2O3; Z-scheme heterojunction; Nanocubes
• ISSN: 0021-9797; 1095-7103
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2020.07.127

The Z-scheme α-Fe2O3/BiVO4 photocatalyst was synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method. The photocatalyst is composed of α-Fe2O3 nanocubes with a regular cubic structure and the BiVO4 particles distributed on the surface of the α-Fe2O3 nanocubes. The photocatalytic performance of Z-scheme α-Fe2O3/BiVO4 photocatalyst was investigated in terms of its capacity for photodegradation of tetracycline hydrochloride. Improved photocatalytic activity was observed for Z-scheme α-Fe2O3/BiVO4 photocatalyst compared with single BiVO4 and α-Fe2O3 nanocubes under visible light irradiation. Studies of its morphology, physicochemical properties and photoelectrochemical behaviors demonstrated that BiVO4 loading on the surface of α-Fe2O3 nanocubes forms a Z-scheme heterojunction, which increases the specific surface area and significantly promotes the separation of photoinduced carriers. The main active species were determined to be OH and h+ by ESR technique and trapping experiments. We propose a possible photocatalytic mechanism of Z-scheme α-Fe2O3/BiVO4 photocatalyst system. This study may also provide a novel and eco-friendly demonstration of a useful strategy for the design and preparation of special structure photocatalytic materials.
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The Z-scheme BiVO4/α-Fe2O3 photocatalyst was synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method. The photocatalyst is composed of α-Fe2O3 nanocubes with a regular cubic structure and the BiVO4 particles distributed on the surface of the α-Fe2O3 nanocubes. The photocatalytic performance of Z-scheme BiVO4/α-Fe2O3 photocatalyst was investigated in terms of its capacity for photodegradation of tetracycline hydrochloride. Improved photocatalytic activity was observed for Z-scheme BiVO4/α-Fe2O3 photocatalyst compared with pure BiVO4 and α-Fe2O3 nanocubes under visible light irradiation. Studies of its morphology, physicochemical properties and photoelectrochemical behaviors demonstrated that BiVO4 loading on the surface of α-Fe2O3 nanocubes forms a Z-scheme heterojunction, which increases the specific surface area and significantly promotes the separation of photoinduced carriers. The main active species were determined to be OH and h+ by ESR technique and trapping experiments. We propose a possible photocatalytic mechanism of Z-scheme BiVO4/α-Fe2O3 photocatalyst system. This study may also provide a novel and eco-friendly demonstration of a useful strategy for the design and preparation of special structure photocatalytic materials.