Mo doping of BiOBr nanoflowers for the degradation of tetracycline by heterogeneous activation of persulfate under visible light

Mo-doped BiOBr nanoflowers were prepared by hydrothermal method with various Bi:Mo molar ratios, and their degradation efficiency of tetracycline under visible light was investigated using K 2 S 2 O 8 activation. Among the above series of catalysts, the sample containing 2% Mo dopant exhibited the optimum photocatalytic activity, which could efficiently remove tetracycline (TC) within 40 min. The mechanism of photocatalytic activity can be well explained by the generation of superoxide radicals (O 2 − ), sulfate radicals (SO 4 − ), hydroxyl radicals ( OH) and holes (h + ), which are responsible for the degradation of TC. In addition, the 2 %Mo-BiOBr catalyst has good recycling stability.