Search

A novel photocatalyst composed of bismuth molybdate (Bi 2 MoO 6 , BMO) coupled with rhodium (Rh) nanoparticles was synthesized and evaluated for its efficiency in degrading dye contaminant under visible light irradiation. The BMO/Rh composite demonstrated a significant enhancement in photocatalytic performance, achieving a 40 % higher degradation rate of Rhodamine B (RhB) compared to bare BMO. Enhanced charge separation and reduced electron-hole recombination were primarily attributed to the synergistic effects introduced by the Rh nanoparticles. Extensive characterization techniques provided insights into the structural and mechanistic aspects of the photocatalyst. Stability tests confirmed that BMO/Rh maintained over 95 % of its initial activity after five consecutive reaction cycles, highlighting its durability. Scavenger experiments identified superoxide radicals (•O 2 -) and hydroxyl radicals (•OH) as the primary active species, contributing to the high efficiency of dye degradation. This study underscores the potential of BMO/Rh hybrids as sustainable and effective photocatalysts for environmental remediation. • Enhanced a BMO/Rh photocatalyst that improves dye degradation by 40 % under visible light. • Achieved improved charge separation with Rh nanoparticles, reducing electron-hole recombination. • Maintained over 95 % photocatalytic activity after five cycles, demonstrating high stability. • Quantified active radicals' roles in improving dye degradation efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of a p-n heterojunction photocatalyst manage to conquer the setbacks of low photocatalytic activity caused by rapid charge recombination and precarious photo-response range. Herein, an interlayer of expanded MoS 2 coupled with Bi 2 WO 6 (BW-IEM) photocatalyst was synthesized for removal of Methylene Blue (MB) up to 97% (5.18 ×10−2 min−1) under irradiation of low power 1 W LED white light. The outstanding photocatalytic performance of the p-n heterojunctions BW-IEM photocatalyst is mainly attributed to the enhancement of light harvesting, improvement in the separation of charge carriers, and coexistence of oxygen vacancy. The main reactive oxygen species (ROS) responsible for the photodegradation of MB were •O 2 - radicals and •OH. This work provides a new strategy for the potential IEM photocatalyst as a matrix in a p-n heterojunction composite. [Display omitted] • p-n heterojunctions of interlayer expanded MoS 2 coupled with Bi 2 WO 6. • 4% BW-IEM shows excellent LED white light driven photocatalytic activity. • Bi 2 WO 6 and oxygen vacancy enhances the separation of photogenerated carries. • •O 2 - and •OH radicals are the main reactive oxygen species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]