Fabrication of 3D flower-like OVs-Bi2SiO5 hierarchical microstructures for visible light-driven removal of tetracycline

Visible light responsive flower-like Bi2SiO5 photocatalysts with ample oxygen vacancies (OVs) were synthesized via a template-free solvothermal treatment process. Notably, the content of OVs on Bi2SiO5 sample prepared can be facilely adjusted by calcination Bi2SiO5 at the different temperature. Among all the samples, the content of OVs on the pristine Bi2SiO5 is the highest, confirmed by XPS and EPR characterization. The photocatalytic efficiency of OVs-Bi2SiO5 for detoxification of tetracycline (TC) is 2.6 times of that of Bi2SiO5-550 (the pristine Bi2SiO5 was calcined at 550 degrees C in air atmosphere). OVs can establish a new defective energy level in energy level of Bi2SiO5, inducing OVs-Bi2SiO5 absorbs visible light. Moreover, introduction of OVs facilitates the generation of superoxide radical (center dot O-2(-)) by activation of O-2 with the assistance of photoinduced electrons. Bi2SiO5 with rich OVs can effectively destruct tetracycline under visible light irradiation.

Automated summary

Visible light responsive flower-like Bi2SiO5 photocatalysts with ample oxygen vacancies (OVs) were successfully synthesized via a template-free solvothermal treatment process. By adjusting the content of OVs, the photocatalytic efficiency was improved, and the degradation of tetracycline was enhanced.