Assembly of Ordered Porous 1D NdMnO3/Bi2Ru2O7 Heterojunction As a Novel Photocatalyst for Degradation of Norfloxacin

Abstract

The photocatalytic heterojunction systems have shown amazing developments in enhancing photocarrier separation and improving degradation efficiencies. In this work, 1D NdMnO₃/Bi₂Ru₂O₇ photocatalysts were synthesized by a solvothermal method and utilized for the photocatalytic degradation of norfloxacin. The physical and chemical characteristics of each material have been examined by using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) absorption, and photoluminescence (PL) emission spectra, respectively. The 1D NdMnO₃/Bi₂Ru₂O₇ heterojunction exhibited superior photocatalytic performance toward norfloxacin removal, and the degradation rate of norfloxacin reached 98% within 120 min, which was higher than that of pure NdMnO₃, and Bi₂Ru₂O₇ respectively. The reaction rate was matched with the pseudo-first-order kinetics, and the kinetic rate constants (k) were 0.0911 min^–1, 0.1339 min^–1, and 0.2486 min^–1 for Bi₂Ru₂O₇, NdMnO₃ rods and 1D NdMnO₃/Bi₂Ru₂O₇ heterojunction, respectively. Through a series of characterizations, it was found that the intimate interface contacts between Bi₂Ru₂O₇, and NdMnO₃ formed a Z-scheme system. This effective heterojunction structure shortens the photogenerated charge carriers and electron transfer pathway and accelerates the separation of photogenerated charge carriers, with well-maintained stability and reusability of the 1D NdMnO₃/Bi₂Ru₂O₇ heterojunction. Meanwhile, the h⁺, e^–, and ^·O₂^– radicals participated as major active species in the photocatalytic degradation reactions and were further confirmed by free radical trapping studies. This work targets improving the efficiency of photocatalytic degradation of norfloxacin by engineering Z-scheme perovskite-type 1D NdMnO₃/Bi₂Ru₂O₇ heterojunction photocatalysts.