Enhanced photocatalytic degradation activity of Z-scheme heterojunction BiVO4/Cu/g-C3N4 under visible light irradiation

A novel BiVO4/Cu/g-C3N4 heterostructure photocatalyst was synthesized by thermal condensation, hydrothermal, and in situ precipitation method. The microscopic morphology and chemical composition of the synthesized samples were analyzed by XRD, SEM, FT-IR, XPS, and other characterizations. BiVO4/Cu/g-C3N4 (BiVO4/Cu:g-C3N4 mass ratio was 1:1) photocatalyst had the optimal photocatalytic degradation activity for tetracycline (TC) wastewater under visible light irradiation (120 min, 74.8%). The introduction of Cu and Z-scheme heterojunction was further confirmed by UV-vis, PL, EIS, and capture mechanism analysis, which effectively accelerated the separation and transfer rate of photogenerated electron holes and enhanced the strong oxidation of h(+) and center dot O-2(-) active species. BiVO4/Cu/g-C3N4 heterojunction photocatalytic material has potential application value in the removal of refractory pollutants in wastewater. Practitioner points A novel Z-scheme BiVO4/Cu/g-C3N4 photocatalyst with excellent photocatalytic activities and stability was prepared to treat tetracycline (TC) wastewater. 1:1 CBCN (BiVO4/Cu:g-C3N4 mass ratio was 1:1) photocatalyst exhibited the highest photocatalytic performance for TC wastewater. The Z-scheme heterojunction and Cu act as the interfacial charge transfer medium accelerated the transfer and separation of carriers.

Automated summary

A novel BiVO4/Cu/g-C3N4 heterostructure photocatalyst was synthesized and demonstrated to have optimal photocatalytic degradation activity for tetracycline (TC) wastewater. The introduction of Cu and Z-scheme heterojunction in the photocatalyst accelerated the separation and transfer rate of carriers, enhancing the oxidation of active species. The material has potential application value in the removal of refractory pollutants in wastewater.