Construction S-scheme Bi4O5Br2/BiOI composite for accelerated charge separation and enhanced photocatalytic degradation and antibacterial performance

• Published in: Process safety and environmental protection 2024-11, Vol.191, p.2140-2153
• Main Authors: Huang, Liying, Qiu, Li, Li, Yanling, Xie, Heman, Zhu, Menghao, Liu, Shuai, Fu, Yanyan, Huang, Jun, Li, Yeping, Huang, Lijing
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibacterial; Bi4O5Br2/BiOI; Degradation; Photocatalytic; S-scheme
• ISSN: 0957-5820
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psep.2024.09.092

Photocatalytic technology is an effective solution to environmental pollution problems. The development of efficient photocatalysts is of great practical significance for environmental remediation. In this study, Bi4O5Br2/BiOI S-scheme heterojunction was successfully prepared by solvothermal and facile room-temperature deposition methods. The optimum sample 30 % Bi4O5Br2/BiOI (BrI-30) could degrade 90.5 % methyl orange (MO) in 60 min and 71.6 % tetracycline (TC) in 90 min under LED light irradiation, and it could completely inactivate Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in 30 min. Bi4O5Br2/BiOI composites exhibited efficient degradation and antimicrobial activities, which were principally ascribed to the formation of the heterojunction interface between Bi4O5Br2 and BiOI facilitating the migration of photo-generated carriers. The effects of different factors on the photo-degradation properties were systematically investigated. In addition, mass spectrometry (MS) has been accustomed to detecting the intermediates formed when TC degraded and possible pathways for TC degradation were proposed. Eventually, based on energy-band analysis, the mechanism of removing pollutants and inactivating bacteria in Bi4O5Br2/BiOI composites was proposed. This study provides a novel solution for treating organic pollutants and bacteria in water bodies, which has practical applications in environmental remediation.