Synthesis of magnetically separable Bi2O2CO3/carbon nanotube/ZnFe2O4as Z-scheme heterojunction with enhanced photocatalytic activity for water purification

To utilize Bi(2)O(2)CO(3)as an efficient photocatalyst, it is of utmost interest to design a system that not only promotes the broad range absorption but also facilitates recyclability and speedy separation of photocatalyst. In this work, magnetically separable Z-scheme Bi2O2CO3/carbon nanotubes/ZnFe(2)O(4)photocatalyst (BOC/CNT/ZF) was synthesized through a simplistic one-step hydrothermal approach investigated for 2,4-dimethyl phenol (DMP) degradation under visible light exposure. The structural and morphological features of photocatalyst were explored using XRD, FTIR, FESEM, HRTEM, and EDX mapping analysis. The UV-visible spectroscopy indicated extended visible light activity of prepared photocatalyst. The photocatalyst was magnetically separated from reaction solution in 20 s. The Z-scheme approach during photocatalysis process was validated using radical scavenging, electrochemical impedance and photoluminescence analysis. CNT mediated Z-scheme electron migration mechanism was proposed which explicate remarkable augmentation in photodegradation ability for DMP degradation. The hydroxyl radicals generatedviaZ-scheme mode were responsible for mineralization of DMP into CO(2)and H2O. BOC/CNT/ZF photocatalyst displayed significant photocatalytic efficiency during the recycle experiment. In addition, significant activity for other phenolic compounds credited it as perspective for long-term practical use in environmental remediation. [GRAPHICS] .