Impressive visible-light photocatalytic performance of TiO2 by integration with Bi2SiO5 nanoparticles: Binary TiO2/Bi2SiO5 photocatalysts with n-n heterojunction

The construction of efficient photocatalysts based on TiO2, with sever activity under visible light, has gained significant attention for the treatment of water contaminations. Therefore in this work, Bi2SiO5 nanoparticles were combined with TiO2 to fabricate binary TiO2/Bi2SiO5 nanocomposites with n-n heterojunction using a facile hydrothermal method. The performance of TiO2/Bi(2)SiO(5 )photocatalysts was assessed by the degradation of Malachite green, Fuchsine, methyl orange, Congo red, and Rhodamine B contaminants under visible light. The results of photocatalytic experiments revealed that TiO2/Bi2SiO5 photocatalysts have an outstanding potency in the removal of these organic contaminants. The best photocatalytic ability was observed for the TiO2/Bi2SiO5 (5%) nanocomposite with the activity of 4.5, 4.6, 7.1, 5.2, and 6.6 times as much as Bi2SiO5 and 9.2, 11.2, 17.5, 10.9, and 16.7 folds greater than TiO2 in the degradation of Fuchsine, Malachite green, methyl orange, Congo red, and Rhodamine B contaminants, respectively. The suppression of charges through the formation of n-n heterojunction, enhanced visible-light absorption, and boosted surface area have caused improvement in the photocatalytic activity TiO2/Bi2SiO5 nanocomposites. Moreover, the TiO2/Bi2SiO5 (5%) nanocomposite exhibited good photostability. This study suggests efficient design of visible-light-responsive photocatalysts based on TiO2, which could have appropriate potential in sewage treatment.

Automated summary

The study successfully developed TiO2/Bi2SiO5 photocatalysts with n-n heterojunction under visible light, showing outstanding potency in degrading various organic contaminants. The enhanced photocatalytic activity was attributed to the formation of n-n heterojunction, increased visible-light absorption, and expanded surface area of the TiO2/Bi2SiO5 nanocomposites.