Construction of a nanoflower BiOCl/ZnWO4 heterojunction structure and its photocatalytic performance

Abstract

A type II BiOCl/ZnWO₄ heterojunction system was studied for the degradation of Tetracycline (TC). 1D ZnWO₄ and 2D BiOCl were recombined into a petal-like structure, which successfully broadened the light response range and greatly improved the BET-specific surface area. The BiOCl/ZnWO₄ heterojunction is characterized by XRD, TEM, SEM, XPS, and electrochemical tests. The photocatalytic degradation of TC was studied by considering the effects of catalyst dosage, TC concentration, pH value, and different water bodies. The improved BiOCl/ZnWO₄ system exhibited increased TC degrading activity; the degradation rate of TC by BCl/ZW-13 within 100 min is 82.06%. Compared to pure BiOCl and ZnWO₄, the rate was 1.6 and 7.9 times greater, respectively. In the combined pollution of TC and RhB, the BiOCl/ZnWO₄ system showed a more stable degradation ability for TC. Furthermore, photoluminescence and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results further supported the idea that the constructed nanoflower heterostructure effectively separated carriers and improved catalytic performance. The role of h⁺ in the degradation of TC was elucidated through free radical capture experiments and ESR technology. A potential mechanism of improved photocatalytic degradation by the BiOCl/ZnWO₄ heterojunction was offered.