Promoting photocatalytic organic pollutant degradation of BiOIO3/ basic bismuth (III) nitrate by dual field effect: Built-in electric field and piezoelectric field effect

• Published in: Colloids and surfaces. A, Physicochemical and engineering aspects Physicochemical and engineering aspects, 2022-11, Vol.652, p.129820, Article 129820
• Main Authors: Li, Zi Qing, Fu, Hong Chuan, Wang, Xiao Hu, Chen, Xiao Hui, Li, Ting, Cui, Ya Bin, Li, Nian Bing, Luo, Hong Qun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: BiOIO3/basic bismuth (III) nitrate; Degraded organic dye; Electron-hole pair; Interface charge transfer; Piezo-photocatalyst
• ISSN: 0927-7757
• DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2022.129820

Piezoelectric material polarization field engineering has gotten a lot of interest in improving photocatalytic performance. In this study, an asymmetric piezoelectric semiconductor BiOIO3 is combined with basic bismuth (III) nitrate (BBN) to form a two-dimension heterojunction, which endows the hybrid with a built-in electric effect and a piezoelectric potential in both light and ultrasonic states. Notably, BiOIO3/BBN 1:1/3 shows a remarkable photodegradation performance. Rhodamine B dye (10 mg/L, 50 mL) can be completely degraded within 3 min by 50 mg of BiOIO3/BBN 1:1/3, and piezoelectric photocatalysis has a higher kinetic constant (2.01 min−1) than single piezoelectricity or photocatalysis. Further experiments illustrate that such remarkable performance correlates heavily with both built-in electric field and piezoelectric field effects, which promote the separation and transformation of photogenerated carriers. Moreover, this hybrid can also effectively degrade Congo red, methyl orange, and methylene blue. The degradation pathway of RhB was deduced by HPLC-MS analysis and the mineralization efficiency of the reaction was tested. Our work may lay a unique foundation for the creation of extremely effective piezo-photocatalysts for wastewater purification, hydrogen production, and other piezo-optical processes, reflecting its potential for practical applications in protecting the environment. [Display omitted] •BiOIO3/BBN 1:1/3 catalyst was obtained by a simple one-pot hydrothermal method.•Built-in electric field and piezoelectric field effects contribute to activity.•50 mg BiOIO3/BBN 1:1/3 can completely degrade 50 mL of 10 mg/L RhB within 3 min.•BiOIO3/BBN 1:1/3 can degrade Congo red, methyl orange, and methylene blue.