Novel visible-light-induced BiOCl/g-C3N4 photocatalyst for efficient degradation of metronidazole

A new type of light stabilized nanocatalyst containing different proportions of flower-like BiOCl nanosheets and g-C3N4 were synthesized through the traditional hydrothermal method to control the growth process. The superior morphology features of BiOCl/g-C3N4 photocatalysts were explained using SEM, EDS, TEM, XRD, and BET. The prepared BiOCl/g-C3N4 nano photocatalyst was proved by a series of experiments, and the photo-chemical catalytic performance of BiOCl/g-C3N4 was studied through the degradation reaction of the colorless antibiotic metronidazole. TOC and GC-MS analysis were used to discover the products of metronidazole after photodegradation. Many experiments suggested that BiOCl/g-C3N4 has a very excellent photochemical catalytic performance exposed to visible light irradiation. During the DRS, ESR, and trapping experiment proving, the interaction between BiOCl and g-C3N4 will improve the separation of photo-generated holes and electrons, thus greatly enhancing the photostability and photocatalytic performance of the material.

Automated summary

A new type of light stabilized nanocatalyst BiOCl/g-C3N4 was synthesized with superior morphology features and excellent photochemical catalytic performance, especially under visible light irradiation. The interaction between BiOCl and g-C3N4 was proven to enhance the separation of photo-generated holes and electrons, significantly improving the material's photostability and photocatalytic performance, as demonstrated through various experiments.