Bi2O3/TiO2 heterostructures: Synthesis, characterization and their application in solar light mediated photocatalyzed degradation of an antibiotic, ofloxacin

• Facile synthesis Bi2O3–TiO2 composites by a hydrothermal method.
• Visible light response and high surface area.
• Efficient photocatalyst for degradation of ofloxacin drug.
• Excellent results (92% degradation efficiency in 120 min).
• No use of any template or oxidizing agent at normal pH of the drug.

In an attempt to synthesize efficient visible light responsive photocatalyst, we have prepared Bi2O3/TiO2 hetero-structures using a simple hydrothermal technique. The detailed characterization has been carried out using XRD, FESEM, TEM, XPS, UV–vis DRS and BET surface area analyzer. It was observed that hetero–nanostructures composed of crystalline anatase TiO2 and monoclinic α-Bi2O3 have been synthesized, with high visible light response and surface area. Photocatalytic degradation for a widely used antibiotic drug, ofloxacin was further studied in solar light illumination and it was found that complete degradation took place in 120 min of photocatalytic reaction using synthesized Bi2O3/TiO2 catalyst. The photocatalytic degradation rates were also compared with that of commercially available photocatalysts such as TiO2 P25 (Degussa), PC 50 and PC 500. The plausible mechanism for photocatalytic degradation reaction taking place on the Bi2O3/TiO2 heterojunction was also studied.

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