Incorporation of Tubular Carbon Nitride and Bi2O3 Flower for Efficient Photodegradation of BPA

Abstract

Photocatalysis presents an effective approach for the removal of organic pollutants such as bisphenol A (BPA). In this study, CN-Bi₂O₃ heterojunction composites were synthesized to enhance photocatalytic degradation efficiency. The combination of bismuth oxide (Bi₂O₃) with carbon nitride (CN) broadens light absorption and promotes effective charge separation, as confirmed by spectroscopic and electrochemical analyses. Among the composites, CN-Bi₂O₃-0.5 exhibited the highest performance, achieving a BPA removal efficiency of 76.0% within 30 min, far exceeding that of pure CN (1.1%) and Bi₂O₃ (3.2%). Scavenger and trapping experiments revealed that photogenerated holes (h⁺) and superoxide radicals (∙O₂⁻) played dominant roles in the degradation process. The composite also demonstrated good stability and reusability across multiple cycles. These findings highlight the potential of CN-Bi₂O₃ composites as efficient and robust photocatalysts for environmental remediation applications.