Fabrication and characterization of I doped Bi2MoO6 microspheres with distinct performance for removing antibiotics and Cr(VI) under visible light illumination

A solvothermal-calcination process was applied to fabricate a series of novel I doped Bi2MoO6 microspheres. The obtained Ix-Bi2MoO6 microspheres presented outstanding photocatalytic activity for removal of three antibiotics (Tetracycline-TC, ciprofloxacin-CPFX, oxytetracycline hydrochloride-OTTCH) and Cr(VI) under visible-light illumination. The texture and physicochemical properties were investigated by XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, UV–vis DRS and photo- electrochemical test. After iodine doping, the specific surface area of Bi2MoO6 was obviously increased, which contributed to the enhanced adsorption for antibiotics and Cr6+ in water. In addition, I0.4-Bi2MoO6 (theoretic molar ratio of I to Mo is 0.4) exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity. And after visible-light illumination for 3 h, the removal rates are 88.8%, 90.0% and 89.6% for TC, CPFX, and OTTCH, respectively. Moreover, I0.4-Bi2MoO6 possesses the distinct activity for removing Cr(VI) in water.