Rational design of α-Fe2O3 nanocubes supported BiVO4 Z-scheme photocatalyst for photocatalytic degradation of antibiotic under visible light.
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.
['Ma|Changchang|C|', 'Lee|Jeongwoo|J|', 'Kim|Youjoong|Y|', 'Cheol Seo|Won|W|', 'Jung|Hyun|H|', 'Yang|Woochul|W|']
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents D001729:Bismuth D002384:Catalysis D008027:Light D014638:Vanadates
Nanocubes Photocatalytic degradation Tetracycline hydrochloride Z-scheme heterojunction BiVO(4)/α-Fe(2)O(3)