Hierarchical heterostructures of Bi₂MoO₆ microflowers decorated with Ag₂CO₃ nanoparticles for efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic removal of toxic pollutants.

ABSTRACT: Developing highly active and durable visible-light-driven photocatalysts for the degradation of toxic pollutants is of vital significance. Herein, Ag₂CO₃ nanoparticles were in situ formed on Bi₂MoO₆ microflowers to produce Ag₂CO₃/Bi₂MoO₆ heterostructures via a facile procedure. The morphologies, phases, chemical compositions, and optical properties of Ag₂CO₃/Bi₂MoO₆ were examined by multiple characterization techniques. The Ag₂CO₃/Bi₂MoO₆ heterostructures exhibited substantially improved performance in the removal of industrial dyes (rhodamine B (RhB), methyl orange (MO), and methyl blue (MB)), and the antibiotic tetracycline hydrochloride (TC), compared with bare Bi₂MoO₆ and Ag₂CO₃ under visible-light irradiation. The enhancement of activity was attributed to the high charge-separation capacity, which results from the matched band alignment of the two components. The cycling experiments showed a good durability of Ag₂CO₃/Bi₂MoO₆. Holes were found to be the dominant active species accounting for the pollutant degradation. This compound is a promising candidate for wastewater treatment.

SUBMITTER: Li S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6122119 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature