2D/2D Phosphorus-Doped g-C3N4/Bi2WO6 Direct Z-Scheme Heterojunction Photocatalytic System for Tetracycline Hydrochloride (TC-HCl) Degradation

Xudong Yin; Xiaojie Sun; Dehao Li; Wenyu Xie; Yufeng Mao; Zhenghui Liu; Zhisen Liu

doi:10.3390/ijerph192214935

2D/2D Phosphorus-Doped g-C₃N₄/Bi₂WO₆ Direct Z-Scheme Heterojunction Photocatalytic System for Tetracycline Hydrochloride (TC-HCl) Degradation

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Nov 13;19(22):14935. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192214935.

Authors

Xudong Yin^{1

2}, Xiaojie Sun¹, Dehao Li², Wenyu Xie², Yufeng Mao², Zhenghui Liu², Zhisen Liu²

Affiliations

¹ Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control Theory and Technology, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541006, China.
² Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Pollution Processes and Control, Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Pollution Control of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming 525000, China.

Abstract

Bi₂WO₆-based heterojunction photocatalyst for antibiotic degradation has been a research hotspot, but its photocatalytic performance needs to be further improved. Therefore, 2D/2D P-doped g-C₃N₄/Bi₂WO₆ direct Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts with different composition ratios were prepared through three strategies of phosphorus (P) element doping, morphology regulation, and heterojunction, and the efficiency of its degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC-HCl) under visible light was studied. Their structural, optical, and electronic properties were evaluated, and their photocatalytic efficiency for TC-HCl degradation was explored with a detailed assessment of the active species, degradation pathways, and effects of humic acid, different anions and cations, and water sources. The 30% P-doped g-C₃N₄/Bi₂WO₆ had the best photocatalytic performance for TC-HCl degradation. Its photocatalytic rate was 4.5-, 2.2-, and 1.9-times greater than that of g-C₃N₄, P-doped g-C₃N₄, and Bi₂WO₆, respectively. The improved photocatalytic efficiency was attributed to the synergistic effect of P doping and 2D/2D direct Z-scheme heterojunction construction. The stability and reusability of the 30% P-doped C₃N₄/Bi₂WO₆ were confirmed by cyclic degradation experiments. Radical scavenging experiments and electron spin resonance spectroscopy showed that the main active species were •O₂^- and h⁺. This work provides a new strategy for the preparation of direct Z-scheme heterojunction catalysts with high catalytic performance.

Keywords: 2D/2D direct Z-scheme heterojunction; Bi2WO6; P-doped g-C3N4; photocatalytic degradation; tetracycline hydrochloride.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
Bismuth / chemistry
Catalysis
Phosphorus*
Tetracycline* / chemistry

Substances

Tetracycline
Phosphorus
Bismuth
Anti-Bacterial Agents

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21777034, 52070049); Maoming City Science and Technology Plan Project (2020545, 2020KJZX032, 2020KJZX033).