Graphene-like boron nitride modified bismuth phosphate materials for boosting photocatalytic degradation of enrofloxacin

A novel graphene-like BN modified BiPO4 material was prepared for the first time via a simple solvothermal process with the assistance of reactable ionic liquid 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium dihydrogen phosphate ([Omim]H2PO4). The as-prepared photocatalyst was characterized by XRD, FT-IR, Raman, XPS, TEM, DRS, BET, PL, EIS and ESR to investigate the structure, morphology, optical property, surface area, electrical property and active species. The photocatalytic activities of graphene-like BN/BiPO4 materials were evaluated by the degradation of antibiotic enrofloxacin (ENR) under UV light irradiation and the 1wt% graphene-like BN/BiPO4 displayed the best activity among the BN/BiPO4 composites. The enhanced photocatalytic activity for the removal of enrofloxacin was attributed to higher separation efficiency of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, and the generated more O2- and OH radicals when the BN was modified on BiPO4. Moreover, a probable degradation mechanism was proposed for the improved photocatalytic activity of BN modified BiPO4.