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

Changchang Ma, Jeongwoo Lee, Youjoong Kim, Won Cheol Seo, Hyun Jung, Woochul Yang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

110 Scopus citations

Abstract

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 [rad]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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)514-522
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Colloid and Interface Science
Volume581
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2021

Keywords

  • BiVO/α-FeO
  • Nanocubes
  • Photocatalytic degradation
  • Tetracycline hydrochloride
  • Z-scheme heterojunction

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