Visible-light-active 1D Ag-CoWO4/CdWO4 plasmonic photocatalysts boosting levofloxacin conversion

The photocatalysis stride is highly dependent on the design and construction of photocatalysts, marking high activity, and long-term stability. A novel photocatalyst of plasmonic Ag decorated CoWO4/CdWO4 (Ag-CoWO4/CdWO4) tube-like Z-scheme heterojunction was firstly constructed via two-step electrospinning and in-situ deposition approach. Benefiting from the synergistic effects of Z-scheme heterojunctions, 1D tubular structure, and the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect of Ag nanoparticles, the Ag-CoWO4/CdWO4 heterostructured photocatalysts showed strong visible-light absorption, high charge separation, and a photocatalytic activity enhancement in levofloxacin (LVF) photocatalysis. Experimental results reveal that ·OH, h+ and ·O2− act as reactive species, promoting and accelerating LVF oxidation. Our work gives the idea of introducing a dedicated composite photocatalyst, conquering individual materials’ intrinsic limits, for wastewater in practical applications.