Fabrication of a CuBi ₂O ₄/g-C ₃N ₄ p–n heterojunction with enhanced visible light photocatalytic efficiency toward tetracycline degradation

Abstract

CuBi ₂O ₄/g-C ₃N ₄ p–n heterojunction photocatalysts with enhanced photocatalytic activity were prepared through a facile calcining method.

Abstract

As the misuse and overuse of tetracycline (TC) contribute to water pollution, it is imperative to explore an efficient and cost-effective approach for the removal of TC in aqueous solution. Photocatalysis is a green and sustainable chemical technique because of its utilization of solar energy. From the view of practical application, it is significant to design a highly efficient, stable, eco-friendly and economical photocatalyst. In this work, CuBi ₂O ₄/g-C ₃N ₄ p–n heterojunctions with different CuBi ₂O ₄ content (10–90 wt%) were prepared via a facile calcining method. The CuBi ₂O ₄/g-C ₃N ₄ heterojunctions exhibit superior photocatalytic activity in the degradation of TC, compared with pristine CuBi ₂O ₄ and g-C ₃N ₄. The optimum photoactivity of 70 wt% CuBi ₂O ₄/g-C ₃N ₄ is up to 4 and 6 times higher than that of CuBi ₂O ₄ and g-C ₃N ₄, respectively. The enhanced photocatalytic activity can be attributed to p–n junction photocatalytic systems, which effectively promote charge carrier separation and transfer. It is anticipated that the design of CuBi ₂O ₄/g-C ₃N ₄ could offer the insight needed to construct inexpensive and highly efficient g-C ₃N ₄-based heterojunction photocatalysts, to relieve urgent environmental deterioration.