Glucose-induced fabrication of Bi/α-FeC2O4·2H2O heterojunctions: a bifunctional catalyst with enhanced photocatalytic and Fenton oxidation efficiency

Abstract

A series of novel bifunctional Bi/α-FeC₂O₄·2H₂O (BF) heterojunctions with outstanding visible-light-driven (VLD) photocatalytic and Fenton oxidation activities were synthesized via a one-pot solvothermal method in which glucose served as reductant and carbon source. The self-assembly of Bi nanoparticles and α-FeC₂O₄·2H₂O which was generated from the reduction of Bi³⁺ and Fe³⁺ as well as the oxidation of glucose to produce C₂O₄²⁻ by surface hydrogen bonds led to the formation of BF heterojunctions. The heterojunctions exhibited enhanced visible-light harvesting and separation efficiency of charge carriers due to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect of metallic Bi and the well-dispersed heterointerfaces, affording extraordinarily high VLD photocatalytic performance in reducing Cr(VI). Moreover, the existence of Fe²⁺ endowed the heterostructured samples with impressive Fenton catalytic performance in degrading organic pollutants, thus enabling the catalysts to operate in all weather conditions. Furthermore, circulation experiments revealed the high chemical stability of the BF samples. As an original strategy to obtain catalysts with high bifunctional catalytic activity, this work provides a facile route for the synthesis of efficient all-weather catalysts in environmental purification.