Z-Scheme Photocatalytic Degradation of Potassium Butyl Xanthate by a 2D/2D Heterojunction of Bi2WO6 Using MoS2 as a Co-Catalyst

Abstract

Xanthate pollution during mineral processing is currently a major global challenge. Solar energy-induced photocatalysis is an effective and sustainable solution to this problem. The synthesis of specially designed photocatalysts is a critical step in this field of research. Even though a large number of structures have been developed in this regard, they are limited by low visible-light absorption and the fast recombination of photoinduced electron–hole pairs. To address these barriers, a novel nano-hybrid was developed with Bi2WO6 nanoflakes using MoS2 nanosheets as the co-catalyst. The as-prepared hybrid was critically examined to confirm its successful formation and determine its inherent exclusive characteristics. Finally, the photocatalytic ability for xanthate removal from wastewater was measured. The bandgap energy of Bi2WO6 and MoS2 was 2.85 eV and 1.87 eV, respectively, while that of the synthesized heterostructure was 2.54 eV. The photocatalytic ability of this novel structure is 6.65 and 9.65 times that of Bi2WO6 and MoS2, respectively.