Preparation of Y3+-doped BiOCl photocatalyst and its enhancing effect on degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride wastewater

Novel, visible light-sensitive photocatalysts of yttrium-doped bismuth oxychloride (Y–BiOCl) were successfully fabricated through consecutive solvent-based and thermal processes. Several characterization strategies were employed to analyze the morphologies, chemical properties, and photocatalytic performances of the catalysts. Compared to pure BiOCl, Y–BiOCl catalysts displayed superior photocatalytic capability for visible light-induced tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) removal. Photocatalytic activity was maximized at 15-wt% Y-doping, with the resulting Y–BiOCl catalyst achieving 90.3% TC removal efficiency within only 60 min, as well as high stability and reusability. Y3+ was discovered to displace Bi3+ in the BiOCl lattices, inducing lattice distortion and thereby raising the concentration of oxygen holes and defects. Y3+-doping also narrowed the bandgap of BiOCl and significantly decreased the bandgap energy, thereby decreasing the photocarrier recombination rate and enhancing photocatalytic activity. The main accomplishment of this study was the development of a promising photocatalytic material for removing organic compounds from wastewater.