4.7 Article

Direct Z-scheme Ag3PO4/Bi4Ti3O12 heterojunction with enhanced photocatalytic performance for sulfamethoxazole degradation

Journal

SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
Volume 241, Issue -, Pages -

Publisher

ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2020.116622

Keywords

Photocatalysis; Ag3PO4; Bi4Ti3O12; Z-scheme; Stability

Funding

  1. Natural Science Foundation of China [51978342]
  2. Jiangsu Provincial Graduate Research and Innovation Program [SJKY19-0976]
  3. Guangdong Innovation Team Project for Colleges and Universities [2016KCXTD023]
  4. Guangdong Province Universities and Colleges Pearl River Scholar Funded Scheme
  5. Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD)

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This paper introduces a Z-scheme Ag3PO4/Bi4Ti3O12 heterojunction composite photocatalyst prepared by an in-situ growth method. The photocatalytic properties of the prepared samples under visible light irradiation were studied by degrading sulfamethoxazole (SMX). The results of photocatalytic experiments and cycle experiments showed that Ag3PO4/Bi4Ti3O12-20% composite exhibited much better photocatalytic activity and stability than pure Ag3PO4 and pure Bi4Ti3O12. The capture experiment results showed that h(+) is the main active substance in the process of SMX degradation. In addition, we proposed a possible photocatalytic mechanism based on the results of experiment and characterization. The formation of a direct Z-Scheme photocatalytic system promoted the separation of carriers, thereby improving the stability and activity of the composite samples.

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