Enhanced photocatalytic degradation performance of organic contaminants by heterojunction photocatalyst BiVO4/TiO2/RGO and its compatibility on four different tetracycline antibiotics

Photocatalytic performance of four tetracycline antibiotics using BiVO4/TiO2/RGO composites was investigated. To make full use of catalysis, optimum preparation conditions involved RGO content, solution pH and hydrothermal temperature on the structure forming of BiVO4/TiO2/RGO composites were investigated. Subsequently, the obtained visible light- driven photocatalyst was used to degrade four kinds of tetracycline antibiotics involved tetracycline (TC), chlortetracycline (CTC), oxytetracycline (OTC) and doxycycline (DXC) for wastewater treatment. Results showed that BiVO4/TiO2/RGO photocatalyst exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity and high compatibility due to the enhanced separation efficiency of photo- generated carriers with high reduction and oxidation capability. The degradation process of four kinds of tetracycline antibiotics was traced and detected through identifying intermediates produced in the reaction system. And a possible catalytic mechanism for BiVO4/TiO2/RGO photocatalyst was put forward based on band gap structure of BiVO4 and TiO2. (C) 2019 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.