Bi3TaO7/Ti3C2 heterojunctions for enhanced photocatalytic removal of water-borne contaminants

Kunshan Li; Xinyu Lu; You Zhang; Kuiliang Liu; Yongchao Huang; Hong Liu

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2020.109409

Bi₃TaO₇/Ti₃C₂ heterojunctions for enhanced photocatalytic removal of water-borne contaminants

Environ Res. 2020 Jun:185:109409. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109409. Epub 2020 Apr 1.

Authors

Kunshan Li¹, Xinyu Lu¹, You Zhang¹, Kuiliang Liu¹, Yongchao Huang², Hong Liu³

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay Area, Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Clean Energy and Materials, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
² Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay Area, Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Clean Energy and Materials, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China. Electronic address: huangych@gzhu.edu.cn.
³ Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 401122, China. Electronic address: liuhong@cigit.ac.cn.

PMID: 32251914
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109409

Abstract

Novel catalysts are of great interest for improved photocatalytic environmental remediation. Using a hydrothermal method, 0D/2D Bi₃TaO₇/Ti₃C₂ heterojunctions were designed rationally and characterized systematically as excellent photocatalysts for photocatalytic degradation. The hybrid catalyst exhibits superior performance in visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (about 99% degradation efficiency after 2 h) and excellent stability (up to 10 cycles) under visible light irradiation (300 W Xe lamp; λ > 420 nm; light intensity 150 mW cm^-2). In addition, Bi₃TaO₇/Ti₃C₂ has a larger rate constant (0.032 min^-1) than pristine Bi₃TaO₇ (0.006 min^-1). Quantum yield (2.27 × 10^-5 molecules/photon) and figure of merit (23.3) of the system were obtained, suggesting that our catalyst has potential for application. Both experimental and computational results indicate that synergistic effects between Bi₃TaO₇ and Ti₃C₂ improve photocatalytic performance by enhancing electron-hole pair separation, electronic transmission efficiency, and interfacial charge transfer. These findings contribute to the synthesis of efficient visible-light-driven Bi-based photocatalysts and to the understanding of photocatalytic degradation reactions.

Keywords: Bismuth tantalite; Charge separation; Environmental remediation; Photocatalysis; Ti(3)C(2).

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Bismuth
Catalysis
Environmental Restoration and Remediation*
Light
Titanium*

Substances

Titanium
Bismuth