The fabrication of a biomass carbon quantum dot-Bi2WO6 hybrid photocatalyst with high performance for antibiotic degradation

A novel biomass carbon quantum dots@Bi2WO6 (BC-QDs@Bi2WO6) photocatalyst with uniform dispersivity was prepared via a dialysis-assisted hydrothermal process. Multiple techniques including HR-TEM, XPS, UV-Vis, PL, photocurrent analysis, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were employed to investigate the morphology and structures as well as the optical and electronic properties of the as-prepared samples. The photocatalytic activity of BC-QDs@Bi2WO6 was assessed by the degradation of antibiotics (tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and gatifloxacin). The improved photocatalytic activity was attributed to the quantum effect of BC-QDs, which acted as the light harvesting center, electron reservoir, and reaction center for degrading the pollutants. Furthermore, a plausible mechanism for photocatalysis was put forward according to the ESR and quenching experiments. The present work can have significant advantages in the construction of biomass carbon-based photocatalysts in pollutant degradation and improved light utilization.