Design and controllable preparation of Bi2MoO6/attapulgite photocatalyst for the removal of tetracycline and formaldehyde.

Herein, based on the natural attapulgite nanofibers and bismuth molybdate photocatalyst, a composite photocatalyst with a unique structure was designed and prepared via a simple solvothermal method. Compared with pure Bi 2 MoO 6 , Bi 2 MoO 6 /attapulgite had stronger formaldehyde and tetracycline treatment ability. The tetracycline oxidation reaction rate constant and formaldehyde mineralization rate using Bi 2 MoO 6 /attapulgite catalyst was 0.0109 min−1 and about 58%, respectively, which was about 1.70 times higher than that of pure Bi 2 MoO 6 , respectively. The introduction of attapulgite improved the adsorption performance of Bi 2 MoO 6 /attapulgite, increased the light-receiving area and active sites, thus ameliorated the mass transfer efficiency and photon efficiency in the reaction process. The material showed excellent reusability and environmental adaptability and has good application potential. This study proposed a high application prospect of organic waste gas and wastewater treatment technology. [Display omitted] • Attapulgite and Bi 2 MoO 6 was effectively assembled to be novel photocatalyst. • Attapulgite improves the dispersion and adsorption properties of Bi 2 MoO 6. • Mass transfer efficiency and light-receiving is the key to success. • Bi 2 MoO 6 /attapulgite has excellent performance for both tetracycline and formaldehyde. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]