Synthesis of visible light driven spherical Bi2MoO6 structure for aflatoxin B1 photodegradation

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a dangerous toxin found in food and feed, it is of great significance to find a photocatalyst for the efficient degradation of AFB1. Bismuth molybdate (Bi2MoO6) photocatalyst has advantages of good visible light response, low cost, and non-toxicity. In this study, the solvent composition polarity and different temperatures were discussed on the surface nano-sheets aggregation, crystal size, and crystal defect of Bi2MoO6. The photocatalytic performance of Bi2MoO6 was investigated towards AFB1 degradation under visible light. The results showed that sample BMO(3:7)-160 prepared under a volume ratio of 3:7 about ethylene glycol to ethanol and 160℃ was spherical structure composed of nanosheets, which had a good photocatalytic degradation efficiency and photocatalytic stability on AFB1. After 120 min, the degradation rate of AFB1 can reach 99.8 %, which was attributed to the best electron-hole separation efficiency of BMO(3:7)-160. In addition, h+ was identified as the primary active species. The degradation products of AFB1 were analyzed to deduce the pathway of AFB1 decomposition and the possible photocatalytic mechanism.