Development of ag/Ag2O/BiPO4/Bi2WO6/g-C3N4 Z-scheme photocatalyst for high-efficiency tetracycline removal: Characterization, degradation pathway and toxicity assessments

Nowadays, tetracycline (TC) contamination of surface water has become a comprehensive environmental problem that threatens the health and survival of animals and humans. It is essential to develop an efficient, and sustainable wastewater treatment strategy. This study introduces a novel Ag/Ag 2 O/BiPO 4 /Bi 2 WO 6 /g-C 3 N 4 (ABC) Z-scheme photocatalyst for high-efficiency TC removal under visible light. Optimized g-C 3 N 4 doping facilitated the electron transfer and provided more reaction sites for TC removal. It showed high efficiency, stable TC degradation activity and environmental adaptability. Moreover, the active reaction site on TC was predicted via DFT calculation. In addition, through the analysis of the intermediates identified by LC-MS, the photo-decomposition pathways of TC were proposed. Based on the results of free radical trapping experiments and ESR spectroscopy, the mechanism of TC degradation was suggested. Finally, a toxicity assessment based on the molecular fractals data was carried out. The developed ABC showed higher visible light absorbance, better e − -h + separation, and higher phase purity and crystallinity. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the development of Z-scheme heterojunctions composite for efficient organic pollution degradation. • A novel Ag/Ag 2 O/BiPO 4 /Bi 2 WO 6 /g-C 3 N 4 (ABC) photocatalyst was successfully developed. • Optimized ABC ratio achieved high crystallinity and enhanced photocatalytic activity. • •O 2 − , h + , •OH were detected to imply the formation of Z-scheme heterojunction in ABC. • TC degradation pathway was proposed based on intermediates and DFT calculations. • ABC showed promise for antibiotic treatment under real environmental conditions.

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