A novel Z-scheme In3+ doped Bi4O5I2/ In2O3 photocatalyst with efficient LED light photodegradation and antibacterial

An efficient In3+ doped Bi4O5I2/In2O3 photocatalyst was synthesized by simple solvothermal and calcination routes. Rhodamine B (RhB), tetracycline (TC) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) were evaluated as model pollutants for the photocatalytic measurement. Under LED light, the optimum sample BIN-2 can kill E. coli in 30 min, 78% of tetracycline (TC) in 75 min, and degrade 100% of RhB in 75 min. The trapping test proved that the superoxide anion radicals (•O2-) and holes (h+) played an important role in the photocatalytic process. The intermediates were revealed by mass spectrometry analysis (MS), and the proposed pathway of TC degradation was given. By trapping experiment and related characterizations, a tight Z-scheme was produced, in which In3+ doped Bi4O5I2/In2O3 hybrid structure is realized with a more negative conduction band and a more positive valence band, facilitating the production of active substances and photocatalytic redox reaction. The enhanced photocatalytic activities could be attributed to the well visible light absorption, tight hybrid interface, and efficient separation of photo-generated charges.