[Co(bpy)3]2+ sensitized Bi2WO6/CdS photocatalyst to enhance synergistic levofloxacin degradation with simultaneous H2 production

Due to the consumption of traditional fossil fuels, human society faces global energy shortages and increasing environmental pollution problems. To address water pollution caused by the abuse of antibiotics and to promote green hydrogen production. In this paper, a Bi 2 WO 6 /CdS S-scheme heterojunction was prepared to realize the photocatalytic levofloxacin (LEV) degradation coupled with hydrogen production reaction. Under the introduction of [Co(bpy) 3 Cl 2 ] (CoBpy) as a molecular photosensitizer, the hydrogen production activity of Bi 2 WO 6 /CdS increased remarkably to 5395.9 μmol g −1  h −1 , meanwhile, the degradation rate of LEV could reach 87.5 %, which was much higher than that of the pure phase material and exhibited excellent stability over five cycles. The enhanced photocatalytic activity originates from the S-scheme heterojunction mechanism that enables the oxidizing and reducing abilities of the material to be fully exploited, meanwhile the sensitization of CoBpy further optimizes the charge transfer pathway, which realizes the combination of visible-light-driven wastewater treatment and green hydrogen production. Our findings provide an efficient and safe approach to environmental remediation and green energy production for a sustainable energy future.