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

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.