Ultrasound-Assisted Synthesis of a ZnO/BiVO₄ S-Scheme Heterojunction Photocatalyst for Degradation of the Reactive Red 141 Dye and Oxytetracycline Antibiotic

Abstract

The preparation of novel sunlight active photocatalysts for complete removal of pollutants from aqueous solutions is a vital research topic in environmental protection. The present work reports the synthesis of a ZnO/BiVO4 S-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst for degradation of the reactive red dye and oxytetracycline antibiotic in wastewater. ZnO and BiVO4 were first fabricated by a hydrothermal technique, and then, the ZnO/BiVO4 heterostructure was synthesized using an ultrasonic route. An increase of the surface area, compared to that of ZnO, was found in ZnO/BiVO4. The enhancement of charge separation efficiency at the interface was obtained so that a remarkable enhancement of the photocatalytic performance was detected in the prepared heterojunction photocatalyst. Complete detoxification of harmful pollutants was achieved by using the economical solar energy. The removal of the pollutants follows the first-order reaction with the highest rate constant of 0.107 min–1. The stability of the prepared photocatalyst was detected after five cycles of use. The ZnO/BiVO4 S-scheme heterostructure photocatalyst still provides high photoactivity even after five times of use. Hydroxyl radicals play an important role in the removal of the pollutant. This work demonstrates a new route to create the step-scheme heterojunction with high photoactivity for complete removal of the toxic dye and antibiotic in the environment.

Light-absorption-driven photocatalysis and antimicrobial potential of PVP-capped zinc oxide nanoparticles

“…(%) Ref. 1 ZnO (2022) Methylene Blue Chemical 663 1.5 93.02 52 2 ZnO (2022) Methyl Red Chemical 492 2.5 93.19 53 3 ZnO⋅SiO 2 (2021) Methyl Orange Chemical 465 1.5 91.02 54 4 Cu–ZnO (2019) Direct Blue 15 Chemical 663 1 70.00 55 5 C–ZnO (2020) Malachite green dye Chemical 254 4.0 86.00 56 6 Au–ZnO RhB Green 553 3 97.20 57 7 ZnO Reactive red 141 Chemical 546 2 89 58 8 ZnO Reactive Red 141 Chemical …”

Novel Type-II Heterojunction Binary Composite (CdS/AgI) with Outstanding Visible Light-Driven Photocatalytic Performances toward Methyl Orange and Tetracycline Hydrochloride

“…However, synthesizing visible light active semiconductor materials is not sufficient as the recombination rate of charge carriers is very high due to the small band gap energy . This problem was addressed using various strategies, such as doping metals and nonmetals, , co-depositing metals on semiconductor surfaces, − and coupling of two or more semiconductors to create binary , and ternary , heterojunctions. A key strategy in photocatalytic processes for pollutant degradation is the construction of type-II heterostructure composite photocatalysts by coupling appropriate semiconductors. , …”

ZnO-ZnS Heterostructure as a Potent Photocatalyst in the Preparation of Some Substituted Chromenes and Remarkable Antigastrointestinal Cancer Activity

“…The exploration of various semiconductors has significantly contributed to advancing knowledge in the chemical industries, artificial ion batteries, optoelectronics, and photocatalysts. Notably, ZnO-WO 3 , CuO/WO 3 /TiO 2 , ZnO-TiO 2 , ZnO/CeO 2 , ZnO/CuCo 2 O 4 , ZnO/BiVO 4 , and ZnO-In 2 O 3 have emerged as effective photocatalysts for numerous transformations under common light irradiation sources. ,− We believe that the development of a ZnO-ZnS heterostructure could enhance electronic transitions within a broad energy range, thus establishing it as a novel and efficient photocatalyst. Herein, ZnO-ZnS is prepared via a simple hydrothermal-based chemical sol–gel method that requires no special requirement.…”