Pt-Cu@Bi2MoO6/TiO2 Photocatalyst for CO2 Reduction

Bi2MoO6/TiO2 heterojunction photocatalysts were constructed by depositing Bi2MoO6 nanosheets on TiO2 nanobelts' surface using a solvothermal method, and the surface of the optimum Bi2MoO6/TiO2 composite was decorated with copper and/or platinum nanoparticles. The synthesized samples were investigated for the CO2 photocatalytic reduction. The structural and optical properties of synthesized photocatalysts were characterized by XRD, FESEM, EDX, N2-physisorption, Raman, TPD-CO2, DRS, and PL analysis. The Bi2MoO6/TiO2 composite with different molar ratios of Bi2MoO6 to TiO2 (1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, and 1/6) showed enhanced photocatalytic activity compared to pure Bi2MoO6 and TiO2. In comparison to bulk Bi2MoO6 and TiO2, the formation of a heterojunction between Bi2MoO6 and TiO2 leads to enhanced CO2 adsorption capacity. The enhanced performance of composites can be ascribed to the improved efficiency of light harvesting in the visible light range and suppressing charge recombination. The composite photocatalytic activity indicated that the ratio of Bi2MoO6 to TiO2 in the composite samples influenced the photocatalytic performance. The Bi2MoO6/TiO2 composite with 1/4 molar ratio had the best performance in 8 h (36.4 μmol/gcat), which was about 10 and 3 times higher than TiO2 and Bi2MoO6 photocatalysts, respectively. Under UV-visible light irradiation, the Pt-Cu@BMT4 sample produced the highest amount of methane (83.6 μmol/gcat) during CO2 photoreduction. During four irradiation cycles, the Pt-Cu@BMT4 sample exhibited superior stability with less than 5% decrease in methane production.

Versatile superhydrophobic bismuth molybdate cotton fabric for oil/water separation and decompose dyestuff

Water pollution caused by the discharged insolubility petroleum contaminants and organic compound dyes seriously threatens the natural self-purity capacity of the water body and the survival of aquatic species, so it is imperative to restraint the deterioration of the aquatic environment. In this paper, pathways are propounded for the simultaneous removal of insoluble spilling oil and organic dye contaminants. Particularly, hydrophobic ZnSnO₃ after stearic acid modification and Bi₂MoO₆ photocatalysts are introduced into the cotton fabric substrate through solution dip-coating. The durability of the prepared fabric suffers from the acid-base corrosion, thermal treatment and mechanical wear, while still exhibiting remarkable water-repellent (WCA > 150°) property. Furthermore, the remarkable photocatalytic activity makes it possible for reusable degradation and the primary active species, namely the holes, to be verified by the radicals-capturing experiment. It is worth observing that as-prepared superhydrophobic fabric possesses admirable water-proof property and cycling durability of decomposing toxic water-soluble organic dye, thereby contributing to further realizing the ecological concept of clear waters.

A visible light driven 3D hierarchical CoTiO3/BiOBr direct Z-scheme heterostructure with enhanced photocatalytic degradation performance

The CoTiO3/BiOBr (CTBB) composite displays excellent photocatalytic activity because of the unique nanostructure induced efficient charge separation and transportation in interface of CoTiO3 and BiOBr.