In situ growing Bi2MoO6 on g-C3N4 nanosheets with enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and disinfection of bacteria under visible light irradiation

Abstract

Bi₂MoO₆/g-C₃N₄ heterojunctions were fabricated by an in situ solvothermal method using g-C₃N₄ nanosheets. The photocatalytic activities of as-prepared samples were evaluated by hydrogen evolution from water splitting and disinfection of bacteria under visible light irradiation. The results indicate that exfoliating bulk g-C₃N₄ to g-C₃N₄ nanosheets greatly enlarges the specific surface area and shortens the diffusion distance for photogenerated charges, which could not only promote the photocatalytic performance but also benefit the sufficient interaction with Bi₂MoO₆. Furthermore, intimate contact of Bi₂MoO₆ (BM) and g-C₃N₄ nanosheets (CNNs) in the BM/CNNs composites facilitates the transfer and separation of photogenetrated electron-hole pairs. 20%-BM/CNNs heterojunction exhibits the optimal photocatalytic hydrogen evolution as well as photocatalytic disinfection of bacteria. Furthermore, h⁺ was demonstrated as the dominant reactive species which could make the bacteria cells inactivated in the photocatalytic disinfection process. This study extends new chance of g-C₃N₄-based photocatalysts to the growing demand of clean new energy and drinking water.

Keywords: Bi(2)MoO(6); Disinfection of bacteria; Hydrogen evolution; Photocatalysis; g-C(3)N(4) nanosheets.