Facile construction of Z-scheme AgCl/Bi3TaO7 photocatalysts for effective removal of tetracycline under visible-light irradiation

Abstract

Abstract A string of AgCl/Bi3TaO7 two-component composite was synthesized by hydrothermal and deposition-precipitation process initially. The photocatalytic activities of mixed-phase AgCl/Bi3TaO7 were evaluated toward the decomposition of tetracycline (TC). Among these as-prepared materials, AgCl/Bi3TaO7 nanocomposites when the molar ratio of baked materials between AgCl and Bi3TaO7 was 1:5 presented the optimal photocatalytic quantum efficiency for TC dissociation (86.82%) with visible light exposure, which was 1.69 and 2.38 folders than that of single Bi3TaO7 and AgCl, respectively. What's more, it illustrated that the photogenerated carriers were markedly isolated on account of the formation of heterojunction confirmed by EIS analysis. Meanwhile, radical trapping experiments implied that the photo-induced holes (h+), hydroxyl radical (·OH) and superoxide radical (·O-2) were the major active species. The escalated photocatalytic activity could be ascribed to the unique construction of Z-scheme AgCl/Bi3TaO7 heterojunction, which could expedite charge separation and transmission, cement light absorption capability and retain the strong redox ability of photogenerated electrons and holes. Our finding suggests that AgCl/Bi3TaO7 nanocomposites possess great potential for photocatalytic oxidation of residual TC in the wastewater effluents and the reported strategy can contribute to the development of novel high-performance photocatalyst.