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

Abstract

The Z-scheme BiVO4/alpha-Fe2O3 photocatalyst was synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method. The photocatalyst is composed of alpha-Fe2O3 nanocubes with a regular cubic structure and the BiVO4 particles distributed on the surface of the alpha-Fe2O3 nanocubes. The photocatalytic performance of Z-scheme BiVO4/alpha-Fe2O3 photocatalyst was investigated in terms of its capacity for photodegradation of tetracycline hydrochloride. Improved photocatalytic activity was observed for Z-scheme BiVO4/alpha-Fe2O3 photocatalyst compared with pure BiVO4 and alpha-Fe2O3 nanocubes under visible light irradiation. Studies of its morphology, physicochemical properties and photoelectrochemical behaviors demonstrated that BiVO4 loading on the surface of alpha-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/alpha-Fe2O3 photocatalyst system. This study may also a novel and eco-friendly demonstration of a useful strategy for the design and preparation of structure photocatalytic materials. (C) 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.