Design and controllable preparation of Bi2MoO6/attapulgite photocatalyst for the removal of tetracycline and formaldehyde

Herein, based on the natural attapulgite nanofibers and bismuth molybdate photocatalyst, a composite photocatalyst with a unique structure was designed and prepared via a simple solvothermal method. Compared with pure Bi2MoO6, Bi2MoO6/attapulgite had stronger formaldehyde and tetracycline treatment ability. The tetracycline oxidation reaction rate constant and formaldehyde mineralization rate using Bi2MoO6/attapulgite catalyst was 0.0109 min(-1) and about 58%, respectively, which was about 1.70 times higher than that of pure Bi2MoO6, respectively. The introduction of attapulgite improved the adsorption performance of Bi2MoO6 /attapulgite, increased the light-receiving area and active sites, thus ameliorated the mass transfer efficiency and photon efficiency in the reaction process. The material showed excellent reusability and environmental adaptability and has good application potential. This study proposed a high application prospect of organic waste gas and wastewater treatment technology.

Automated summary

A composite photocatalyst with a unique structure was successfully designed and prepared by introducing attapulgite nanofibers, which showed stronger treatment ability compared to pure Bi2MoO6, as well as excellent reusability and environmental adaptability, indicating great potential for application in organic waste gas and wastewater treatment technology.