Synthesis of g-C3N4/Bi4O5Br2 via reactable ionic liquid and its cooperation effect for the enhanced photocatalytic behavior towards ciprofloxacin degradation

A novel visible-light-driven g-C3N4/Bi4O5Br2 composite material has been prepared via an ionic liquid 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([C(16)mim]Br) assisted solvothermal method. In this process, the ionic liquid [C(16)mim]Br played an important role as the solvent, dispersing agent and reactant at the same time. Colorless antibiotic ciprofloxacin (CIP) was chosen as the target pollutant to evaluate the as prepared photocatalyst. Compared with the pure Bi4O5Br2, the as-prepared g-C3N4/Bi4O5Br2 composites showed the enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation. 10 wt% g-C3N4/Bi4O5Br2 composite exhibited the best photodegradation performance among the g-C3N4/Bi4O5Br2 composites. The increased light harvseting ability and photogenerated charge carriers separation efficiency contribute to the improved photocatalytic performance for the as-prepared composites. Holes were determined to be the main active specie during the photocatalytic degradation. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.