Photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B over Z-scheme photocatalyst BiFeO3/3DOM-TiO2-x in a fixed-bed reactor

In this work, a Z-scheme BiFeO3/3DOM-TiO2-x photocatalyst was synthesized using a hydrothermal method and extensively evaluated for its photocatalytic capabilities in the rhodamine B (RhB) degradation within a fixed-bed reactor. The results demonstrated the synergistic effects of enhanced visible light absorption, a Z-scheme charge transfer mechanism, oxygen vacancies, and unique three-dimensional ordered macropore structure, which collectively enhance the photocatalytic activity of BiFeO3/3DOM-TiO2-x. The active groups responsible for RhB degradation included hydroxyl radicals (•OH), hole (h+), and reactive superoxide radical (•O2−), of which •O2− played a predominant role in RhB photodegradation. A kinetic model of dye degradation in a fixed-bed reactor was proposed, providing a realistic description of RhB degradation.