Enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline by 16% Er3+-Bi2WO6 photocatalyst

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials 2022-01, Vol.422, p.126920-126920, Article 126920
• Main Authors: Qiu, Yijin, Lu, Jianjiang, Yan, Yujun, Niu, Junfeng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bismuth tungstate; Erbium; Photocatalytic degradation; Tetracycline
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126920

The widespread use of antibiotics in drug therapy and agriculture has seriously polluted the aquatic environment. Bismuth tungstate (Bi2WO6) is a new and efficient visible-light catalyst that is simple to prepare, non-toxic, stable, and corrosion resistant. Nonetheless, its efficiency has remained limited, and erbium (Er) mixing has been tested to address this. Here, a new Er3+-mixed Bi2WO6 photocatalyst was successfully prepared through the one-step hydrothermal method; pigments were characterized via XRD, SEM, BET, XPS, Uv-vis, PL and EIS. The results showed that the 16% Er3+-Bi2WO6 photocatalyst is a 250 nm flower-like nanosheet with a specific surface area of 67.1 m2/g and bandgap (Eg) of 2.35 eV, which provides the basis for superior performance. When the concentration of the catalyst was 0.4 g/L, 94.58% of the tetracycline (TC) solution (initial concentration of 10 mg/L) degraded within 60 min under visible light irradiation (λ ≥ 420 nm). ESR and LC-MS were used to identify the free radicals and intermediates for the degradation of TC pollutants; a photocatalytic degradation system and pathway were proposed. This solar-driven system will ultimately reduce resource consumption, providing a sustainable and energy-saving environmental decontamination strategy. [Display omitted] •A novel Er3+-Bi2WO6 photocatalyst for layered nanosheets successfully prepared.•16% Er3+-Bi2WO6 substantially improved the tetracycline-degrading activity (94.58%).•Photocatalytic degradation mechanism and pathway of TC revealed.•A novel, sustainable and energy-saving strategy for the removal of environmental pollutants (Tetracycline hydrochloride).