Preparation of BiOCl/Cu2O composite particles and its photocatalytic degradation of moxifloxacin

In this study, BiOCl/Cu2O composite particles were successfully provided by solvothermal method to remove moxifloxacin from water under simulated sunlight radiation, and the influence of BiOCl on the structure and performance of Cu2O was studied. The main degradation intermediate products produced in photocatalysis were analyzed, and the reasons affecting the photocatalytic performance of BiOCl/Cu2O were studied. The reaction site of moxifloxacin was predicted by theoretical calculation. The results show that the prepared samples have high purity and a spherical shape with a particle size of about 3???5 ??m. After compounding, the samples have larger specific surface area than pure Cu2O, which increase the absorption of visible light and increase the band gap. The photocurrent response intensity was enhanced, the surface transfer resistance was reduced, and the transfer and separation efficiency of photogenerated electrons and holes was significantly improved. In addition, the photocatalytic performance of the prepared samples was assessed by the decompose of moxifloxacin. The degradation rate of moxifloxacin reached 80.0% in the presence of M2-Cu2O. Finally, it was determined that the main active species in the photocatalytic reaction was ???OH, and based on the nine products analyzed, combined with the calculation of the front-line electron density, the possible degradation path of moxifloxacin was proposed.

Automated summary

In this study, BiOCl/Cu2O composite particles were successfully prepared and their influence on the structure and performance of Cu2O was studied. The degradation intermediate products and factors affecting the photocatalytic performance were analyzed, and the reaction site of moxifloxacin was predicted.