Green BiOI impregnated 2-dimensional cylindrical carbon block: A promising solution for environmental remediation and easy recovery of the photocatalyst

In the present study, a 2D hollow-cylindrical activated carbon block (CB) has been converted into a potential photocatalyst by impregnating green bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI-G) synthesized via Azadirachta indica (A.I.) leaf extract mediated hydrolysis route in the activated carbon (AC) matrix (BiOI-G-CB). The as-obtained products were well-characterized and it was discovered that the BiOI-G nanoflowers were successfully embedded in the 2D CB's matrix with homogeneous distribution. Furthermore, the density of BiOI-G embedded in the 2D CB structure was varied by adjusting its amount with the precursor in different ratios i.e. 0.1 wt%, 0.5 wt% and 1 wt %, respectively. The rationally designed BiOI-G-CB displayed a significant photocatalytic activity by degrading 94.1% and 91.8% ampicillin (AMP) and amoxicillin (AMX) within 300 min of visible light activity. The superior photocatalytic efficiency was credited to the multiple interfaces developed among activated carbon, BiOI-G and leaf extract, which facilitated the charge transfer process and effective separation of photogenerated charges.