Enhanced photocatalytic degradation activity of Z‐scheme heterojunction BiVO4/Cu/g‐C3N4 under visible light irradiation

A novel BiVO4 /Cu/g-C3 N4 heterostructure photocatalyst was synthesized by thermal condensation, hydrothermal, and in situ precipitation method. The microscopic morphology and chemical composition of the synthesized samples were analyzed by XRD, SEM, FT-IR, XPS, and other characterizations. BiVO4 /Cu/g-C3 N4 (BiVO4 /Cu:g-C3 N4 mass ratio was 1:1) photocatalyst had the optimal photocatalytic degradation activity for tetracycline (TC) wastewater under visible light irradiation (120 min, 74.8%). The introduction of Cu and Z-scheme heterojunction was further confirmed by UV-vis, PL, EIS, and capture mechanism analysis, which effectively accelerated the separation and transfer rate of photogenerated electron holes and enhanced the strong oxidation of h+ and •O2- active species. BiVO4 /Cu/g-C3 N4 heterojunction photocatalytic material has potential application value in the removal of refractory pollutants in wastewater. PRACTITIONER POINTS: A novel Z-scheme BiVO4 /Cu/g-C3 N4 photocatalyst with excellent photocatalytic activities and stability was prepared to treat tetracycline (TC) wastewater. 1:1 CBCN (BiVO4 /Cu:g-C3 N4 mass ratio was 1:1) photocatalyst exhibited the highest photocatalytic performance for TC wastewater. The Z-scheme heterojunction and Cu act as the interfacial charge transfer medium accelerated the transfer and separation of carriers.