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Paper | Open Access

Enhanced pollutant photodegradation activity of graphitic carbon nitride on via bismuth oxyhalide graphene hybridization and the mechanism study

Xinghui Liua,b,‡ (), Yang Liua,b,‡, Xiang Guob(), Bowen Taob, Xu Maa, Simin Chenga, Ning Tiana, Gaihui Liua, Qiao Wua, Viet Q. Buic, Kuldeep K. Saxenad, Sankar Ganesh Ramaraje, Jianhui Liuf, Fuchun Zhanga(), Yongfa Zhug()
School of Physics and Electronic Information, Yan'an University, Yan'an 716000, China
Science and Technology on Aerospace Chemical Power Laboratory, Laboratory of Emergency Safety and Rescue Technology, Hubei Institute of Aerospace Chemotechnology, Xiangyang, 441003, China
Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, The University of Danang, 41 Le Duan, Danang, Vietnam
Division of Research and Development, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, India
Department of Bioengineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
Department of Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials Sciences, Harvard School of Dental Medicine Boston, Massachusetts United States of America, The Forsyth Institute Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
Department of Chemistry, Beijing Key Laboratory for Analytical Methods and Instrumentation, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China

‡ These authors contributed equally to this work.

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Abstract

Addressing the degradation of persistent organic pollutants like bisphenol A (BPA) and rhodamine B (RhB) with a photocatalyst that is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly is a notable challenge. This research presents the synthesis of an optimized g-C3N4/Bi4O5Br2 composite featuring a Z-scheme heterojunction structure. The precise band alignment of this composite significantly enhances the separation of photogenerated charges and the production of dominant reactive species. The composite demonstrated exceptional photocatalytic performance, with BPA degradation efficiency nearing 98% and RhB achieving complete degradation within 80 and 35 min under visible light, respectively. These results are approximately 1.3 times greater than the individual performance of CN and BOB, surpassing recent literature benchmarks. Through EPR and free radical capture experiments, the role of h+ and ·O2− as the primary active free radicals in the degradation process have been confirmed. First-principles calculations validated the experimental results, indicating that the Z-type heterojunction is instrumental in generating active species, thus improving degradation efficiency. This study offers a promising strategy for the design of photocatalysts targeting emerging organic pollutants.

Keywords

Photocatalysisg-C3N4Bi4O5Br2HeterostructureWater purificationZ-scheme

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Industrial Chemistry & Materials
Volume 3 Issue 2,
March 2025
Pages 191-202
DOI: 10.1039/d4im00105b
Cite this article:
Liu X, Liu Y, Guo X, et al. Enhanced pollutant photodegradation activity of graphitic carbon nitride on via bismuth oxyhalide graphene hybridization and the mechanism study. Industrial Chemistry & Materials, 2025, 3(2): 191-202. https://doi.org/10.1039/d4im00105b
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