Construction of Bi2Ti2O7/Bi4Ti3O12 composites with enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity

Novel Bi2Ti2O7/B4Ti3O12 heterostructures have been synthesized via a facile and economical method. The as prepared B24 sample (Bi2Ti2O7/Bi4Ti3O12) with small crystal size exhibits enhanced visible light response and efficient separation of photogenerated carriers. Thus, compared with pure Bi2Ti2O7 or Bi4Ti3O12, Bi2Ti2O7/Bi4Ti3O12 composites show better performance in the photodegradation and mineralization of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC). According to experimental results, the possible photocatalytic mechanism has been proposed. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.