Pyrene-Based Conjugated Polymer/Bi2MoO6 Z-Scheme Hybrids: Facile Construction and Sustainable Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance in Ciprofloxacin and Cr(VI) Removal under Visible Light Irradiation

• Main Authors: Xianglong Yang, Yonggang Xiang, Xuepeng Wang, Shu Li, Hao Chen, Xing Ding
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-05-01
• Series: Catalysts
• Subjects: photocatalysis; Z-scheme; conjugated polymer; Bi2MoO6
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/8/5/185

The search for appropriate materials with favorable staggered energy band arrangements is important and is a great challenge in order to fabricate Z-scheme photocatalysts with high activity in visible light. In this study, we demonstrated a facile and feasible strategy to construct highly active organic–inorganic Z-scheme hybrids (P-BMO) with linear pyrene-based conjugated polymer (P17-E) and Bi2MoO6, via an in-situ palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction. The characterization results revealed C-O chemical bond formed at the heterointerface between P17-E and Bi2MoO6 after in-situ polycondensation and endowed the hybrids with observably improved photogenerated carries transfer capabilities. Visible, light-driven photocatalytic removal of ciprofloxacin and Cr(VI) were significantly enhanced after the incorporation of P17-E into Bi2MoO6, whether with the morphology of nanosheets, nanobelts, or microspheres. Moreover, these P-BMO hybrids were also found to exhibit excellent sustainable photocatalytic performance after four runs of photocatalytic evaluation tests, suggesting their high activity and stability. To better eliminate the redox ability enhancement of P-BMO, a reasonable Z-scheme electrons transferring mechanism between P17-E and Bi2MoO6 was proposed and proved by the determination of •O2– and •OH and Pt nanoparticles photodeposition experiments. This work might provide a viable source and insight into the design of Z-scheme photocatalysts with excellent redox ability for environmental remediation.