A novel Z-scheme Er3+:Yb0.5Y2.5Al5N0.01F0.01O11.98/g-C3N4–Pt–BiPO4 photocatalyst for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of azofuchsin and ciprofloxacin

In this paper, a novel Z-scheme photocatalyst Er 3+ :Yb 0.5 Y 2.5 Al 5 N 0.01 F 0.01 O 11.98 /g-C 3 N 4 –Pt–BiPO 4 was synthesized by sol-hydrothermal and calcination methods. The prepared samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, EDS mappings, XPS, PL, and DRS. In addition, the optimal hydrothermal conditions for the preparation of BiPO 4 were explored with the azofuchsin solution and ciprofloxacin(CIP) solutions as the target pollutants. At the same time, the best calcination temperature and the best calcination time of the Er 3+ :Yb n Y 3−n Al 5 N x F y O 12−x−y and BiPO 4 were investigated. The results showed that the Z-scheme Er 3+ :Yb 0.5 Y 2.5 Al 5 N 0.01 F 0.01 O 11.98 /g-C 3 N 4 –Pt–BiPO 4 photocatalyst has strong redox ability, wide absorption range of visible light, and excellent separation effect of electron–hole pairs, which can efficiently degrade organic pollutants and antibiotic.