Novel Z-scheme LaVO4/Bi3O4Cl heterojunctions for highly efficient degradation of ofloxacin under visible light irradiation

The construction of a Z-scheme heterojunction favors the improvement of the photocatalytic activity of photocatalysts. Herein, the LaVO4/Bi3O4Cl Z-scheme heterojunction was designed reasonably by the method of in situ growth. The obtained heterojunction was further used as a photocatalyst for the degradation of ofloxacin (OFX), an antibiotic, in wastewater. The degradation efficiency of OFX by the optimal sample (LBC2) was 94.3 % and the values of k were about 114.7 and 2.4 times those of LaVO4 and Bi3O4Cl, respectively. In addition, LBC-2 maintained high activity after 4 cycles. The significantly reduced recombination rate of carriers in LBC-2 was reflected by the results of the photoluminescence (PL), photocurrent (PC), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies. The degradation pathways of OFX were proposed accounting to the intermediates detected by liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS). Toxicity estimations showed that the toxicity of some intermediates decreased. This work provides new insight into the development of Z-scheme photocatalysts for the removal of antibiotics as pollutants.(c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A Z-scheme heterojunction of LaVO4/Bi3O4Cl was successfully designed and used as a photocatalyst for the degradation of ofloxacin in wastewater. The optimal sample showed high degradation efficiency and stability. The significantly reduced carrier recombination rate and decreased toxicity of intermediates in the degradation pathway were observed in LBC-2.