Constructed p-2D/n-2D BiOCl/BiVO4 Nanoheterostructure for Photocatalytic Antibacterial Activity

Degradation of harmful organic pollutants using semiconductor materials has been represented as one of the energetic solution for wastewater treatment. A novel visible light photocatalyst of BiOCl/BiVO4 (BCl-BV) with a p-n heterojunction structure catalyst were synthesized using a simple hydrothermal method. Specifically, 1 g of BiOCl (BCL) powder was added to 100 mL of DW, followed by using drop casting of Bi(NO3)3 and Na2VO4 at various concentrations (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 mM). The structural and physical properties of synthesized materials are investigated by X-Ray Diffraction, FESEM measurement, EDS analysis and UV-Visible spectroscopy. Under visible-light irradiation, the photocatalytic activity of of synthesized materials were evaluated for the degradation of rhodamine (RhB), methylene orange (MO), and methylene blue (MB) concentrations. In comparison to pure BiOCl and BiVO4, the heterojunction significantly improved photodegradation efficiency for rhodamine (RhB), methylene orange (MO), and methylene blue (MB) under visible-light irradiation (> 400 nm). This is attributed to the B type heterojunction structure with a strong oxidative ability and efficient charge separation and transfer across the BiOCl/BiVO4 interface. Finally, the antibacterial activity of BiOCl, BiVO4,, and BiOCl/BiVO4 heterojunction was improved and reveal the strong interaction of BiVO4 and heterojunction BiOCl/BiVO4 with the bacterial membrane and higher generation of ROS through strong oxides like activity.