ZnO@Bi5O7I Heterojunction Derived from ZIF-8@BiOI for Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity under Visible Light

Abstract

In the study, ZIF-8@BIOI composites were synthesized by the hydrothermal method and then calcined to acquire the ZnO@Bi5O7I composite as a novel composite for the photocatalytic deterioration of the antibiotic tetracycline (TC). The prepared ZnO@Bi5O7I composites were physically and chemically characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmet–Teller (BET) surface area, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), emission fluorescence spectra, transient photocurrent response, electrochemical impedance spectra and Mott–Schottky. Among the composites formed an n–n heterojunction, which increased the separation efficiency of electrons and holes and the efficiency of charge transfer. After the photocatalytic degradation test of TC, it showed that ZnO@Bi5O7I (2:1) had the best photodegradation effect with an 86.2% removal rate, which provides a new approach to the treatment of antibiotics such as TC in wastewater.