Temperature-Program Assisted Synthesis of Novel Z-Scheme CuBi(2)O(4)/β-Bi(2)O(3) Composite with Enhanced Visible Light Photocatalytic Performance

Novel Z-Scheme CuBi(2)O(4)/β-Bi(2)O(3) composite photocatalysts with different mass ratios and calcination temperatures were firstly synthesized by the hydrothermal method following a temperature-programmed process. The morphology, crystal structure, and light absorption properties of the as-prepared samples were systematically characterized, and the composites exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity toward diclofenac sodium (DS) degradation compared with CuBi(2)O(4) and β-Bi(2)O(3) under visible light irradiation. The optimal photocatalytic efficiency of the composite, achieved at the mass ratio of CuBi(2)O(4) and β-Bi(2)O(3) of 1:2.25 and the calcination temperature of 600 °C is 92.17%. After the seventh recycling of the composite, the degradation of DS can still reach 82.95%. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of CuBi(2)O(4)/β-Bi(2)O(3) is closely related to OH(•), h(+) and O(2)(•−), and the photocatalytic mechanism of CuBi(2)O(4)/β-Bi(2)O(3) can be explained by the Z-Scheme theory.