Preparation of Bi2MoO6–BiOCOOH plate-on-plate heterojunction photocatalysts with significantly improved photocatalytic performance under visible light irradiation

Bi2MoO6/BiOCOOH heterojunction photocatalysts were successfully fabricated via a facile solvothermal method. The as-fabricated composite photocatalysts displayed greatly accelerated degradation rate toward Levofloxacin under visible-light irradiation. Typically, the incorporation ratio of Bi2MoO6 had apparent effect on the performance of the heterojunction photocatalysts. The apparent rate constant of optimal sample for Levofloxacin degradation was 11.3 and 241.3 times higher than that of pure Bi2MoO6 and BiOCOOH, respectively. The main reason for the improved performance was ascribed to the formation of heterojunctions between the two components. Results of the quenching studies indicated that both photogenerated hole (h+) and superoxide radical (·O2−) were main reactive radicals responsible for the degradation of Levofloxacin. Herein, the Bi2MoO6/BiOCOOH heterojunction could be a favorable material for visible-light-utilized water purification.