Facile synthesized highly active BiOI/Zn2GeO4 composites for the elimination of endocrine disrupter BPA under visible light irradiation. (18th March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yan, Tao; Liu, Hongye; Gao, Picheng; Sun, Meng; Wei, Qin; Xu, Wenguo; Wang, Xiaodong; Du, Bin
• Is Part Of: New journal of chemistry. Volume 39:Number 5(2015:May)
• Page Start: 3964
• Page End: 3972
• Publication Date: 2015-03-18
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; Chimie -- Périodiques; 540
• DOI: 10.1039/c4nj02360a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1144-0546

Abstract

Abstract : A high-performance BiOI/Zn2 GeO4 visible light photocatalyst for the decomposition of organic pollutants was fabricated using a simple chemical bath approach. Abstract : A simple chemical bath approach for the facile synthesis of a BiOI/Zn2 GeO4 composite has been demonstrated. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS). The XRD results indicate that the BiOI and Zn2 GeO4 co-exist in the composite. The HRTEM image, showing clear lattice fringes, proves the formation of a heterojunction between BiOI and Zn2 GeO4 . The photo-degradation of bisphenol A indicates that the BiOI/Zn2 GeO4 composites are more photoactive than BiOI and Zn2 GeO4 . The photocatalytic activity enhancement, which is mainly ascribed to the strong sensitization of BiOI to Zn2 GeO4, broadened the photoabsorption of Zn2 GeO4, and the heterojunction of BiOI/Zn2 GeO4 facilitated the transfer and separation of photo-generated charge carriers. In addition, the active species trapping experiments showed that h + and ˙O2 − were the dominant reactive species, while molecular oxygen plays a fatal role for photocatalytic interactions. Subsequently, a possible degradation mechanism is proposed. Furthermore, the BiOI/Zn2 GeO4 photocatalysts exhibit a higher mineralization capacity for bisphenol A, suggesting hopeful prospects for its use in practical applications for the decomposition of organic pollutants.