S-scheme heterojunction Cu2V2O7/a-Fe2O3 nanosheets with effective photocatalytic activity toward organic pollutant degradation

Photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants is a highly promising technology. Here, we design a novel Cu2V2O7/& alpha;-Fe2O3 S-scheme heterostructure by a one-step solvothermal method, which is inexpensive, easily accessible, highly solar-light efficient, and environmentally friendly. XPS demonstrates the strong interaction between Cu2V2O7 and & alpha;-Fe2O3, and the photoelectricity test verifies the significant enhancement of electrical properties by the heterostructure. DFT calculations illustrate the formation of the solid built-in electric field. The construction of S-scheme heterojunction is confirmed by differential charge density, and the catalytic mechanism is determined. The efficient degradation performance of the new heterojunction was experimentally demon-strated using methylene blue (MB) and tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) as typical organic pollutants. In the study, the & beta;-Cu2V2O7 exhibited better dye adsorption ability, proving its photocatalytic degradation potential. Meanwhile, our study provides new insights into S-scheme heterojunctions and visible light-responsive composites.

Automated summary

This study designs a novel Cu2V2O7/α-Fe2O3 S-scheme heterostructure, which is inexpensive and highly efficient in photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants. The experiment demonstrates the significant enhancement of electrical and catalytic properties by the heterostructure.