Construction of Bi2MoO6/g-C3N4 heterostructures with enhanced visible light photocatalytic performance

Abstract

To improve the separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers, heterogeneous photocatalysts were prepared and characterized in this work. First, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) and bismuth molybdate (Bi₂MoO₆) were synthesized by thermal polymerization and a hydrothermal method, respectively. Then, Bi₂MoO₆/g-C₃N₄ composites with different mass ratios were constructed by a facile method. The microstructure and morphology of the composites were characterized and analyzed. The results showed that Bi₂MoO₆/g-C₃N₄ heterostructures were formed in the composite. Taking rhodamine B as the target pollutant, the photo-degradation performances of the composite were evaluated. The experimental results indicated that the composite with a Bi₂MoO₆/g-C₃N₄ mass ratio of 0.1 : 0.9 exhibited excellent photocatalytic performance. The results demonstrated that the band structure of g-C₃N₄ and Bi₂MoO₆ can promote the migration of photogenerated carriers, and then reduce the recombination rate of photogenerated electrons and holes. In the photocatalytic process, superoxide free radicals played a major role.