Synthesis flower-like BiVO4/BiOI core/shell heterostructure photocatalyst for tetracycline degradation under visible-light irradiation

A series of flower-like BiVO4/BiOI core/shell composites were synthesized by depositing BiOI irregular nanosheets on the surface of sphere-like BiVO4 particles via an in situ precipitation method. Tetracycline was selected to evaluate the photocatalytic activity under visible-light irradiation. The samples were characterized by series measurements, which the SEM and TEM results showed that the flower-like BiVO4/BiOI photocatalysts were fabricated. The BiVO4/BiOI (V: I=0.1) composite exhibited the highest excellent photocatalytic activity and superior adsorption capability. The results could be ascribed to the p-n junction, close core/shell heterostructure and high specific surface area, which promoted the separation and transfer of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. In addition, the radical trapping experiments revealed that the O-.(2)- and h(+) were the main active species to the photodegradation of tetracycline in the system. This work provides a simple method to design the core/shell structure photocatalysts with excellent photocatalytic performance and adsorption capability for removal antibiotic pollutants.