Two-Dimensional Lamellar Stacked Bi2O3/CeO2 Type-II Heterojunctions Promote Carrier Separation to Enhance Ciprofloxacin Oxidation

Abstract

The development of efficient and stable photocatalysts is critical for addressing water pollution challenges caused by persistent organic contaminants. However, single-component photocatalysts often suffer from rapid photogenerated carrier recombination and limited visible-light absorption. In this study, a two-dimensional lamellar stacked Bi2O3/CeO2 type-II heterojunction photocatalyst (BC) was successfully synthesized in situ by a topological transformation strategy induced by high-temperature oxidation of monolithic Bi. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses confirmed the uniform distribution of Bi2O3 nanosheets on CeO2 surfaces, forming an intimate interfacial contact that enhances charge separation and transfer efficiency. Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and electrochemical characterization revealed extended visible-light absorption (up to 550 nm) and accelerated electron migration in the heterojunction. Under simulated sunlight, the optimized BOC (3:1) composite exhibited a ciprofloxacin (CIP) degradation rate constant 2.30 and 5.63 times higher than pure Bi2O3 and CeO2, respectively. Theoretical calculations validated the type-II band alignment with conduction and valence band offsets of 0.07 eV and 0.17 eV, which facilitated efficient spatial separation of photogenerated carriers. This work provides a rational strategy for designing heterojunction photocatalysts and advancing their application in water purification.