Bacterial cellulose flakes loaded with Bi2MoO6 nanoparticles and quantum dots for the photodegradation of antibiotic and dye pollutants

Effective strategies to improve charge separation in semiconductor particles are critical for improving the photodegradation of organic pollutants at levels sufficient for environmental applications. Herein, Bi 2 MoO 6 (BMO MOF ), comprising both nanoparticles (NPs) and quantum dots (QDs), was synthesized from a bismuth-based metal-organic framework (Bi-MOF) precursor. Surface defects on BMO MOF , the combination of NPs and QDs, and modified energy band edges improved photogenerated charge separation and facilitated redox reactions. When compared to BMO derived from uncoordinated Bi, the BMO MOF photocatalyst (PC) was more efficient at photodegrading tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) and ciprofloxacin (CIP), two widely-used antibiotics ubiquitous in wastewater, as well as the carcinogenic pollutant rhodamine B (RhB). BMO MOF was then loaded on the biopolymer bacterial cellulose (BC) to further enhance photocatalytic performance and facilitate the recovery of the PC after water treatment processes. The novel BMO MOF /BC photocatalytic flakes were significantly larger than pure BMO MOF , and thus easier to recuperate. Furthermore, anchoring BMO MOF on BC flakes augmented significantly the photodegradation of TCH, CIP, and RhB, mainly because hydroxyl groups in BC act as hole traps facilitating photogenerated electron-hole separation. Results obtained with BMO MOF /BC highlight promising approaches to develop optimal PCs for aqueous pollutants degradation .