MOF derived in-situ construction of core-shell Z-scheme BiVO4@α-Fe2O3-CF nanocomposites for efficient photocatalytic treatment of organic pollutants under visible light

Herein, we have hydrothermally fabricated in situ a series of BiVO4@α-Fe2O3-CF (BiFeC) based Z-scheme photocatalysts. As prepared catalysts were well characterized by means of numerous sophisticated analytical tools. Amongst samples prepared, the BiFeC-1 showed excellent photocatalytic activity towards degradation of methylene blue (MB) (97% in 2h) as well as tetracycline (TC) (89% in 1h) as compared to that of their bare counterparts (45% and 42% for BiVO4, 29% and 18% for α-Fe2O3, respectively). The significant improved photocatalytic performance of Z scheme BiFeC-1 can be ascribed to improved specific surface area (due to an altered morphology of BiVO4 fern leaves), boosted light harvesting ability and redox properties, thereby leading to inhibition of the recombination of charge carriers. Moreover, the high photo-stability and reusability of optimal BiFeC-1 was confirmed by conducting recycle experiments consecutively over five times for MB as well as TC.