Efficient photocatalytic degradation of norfloxacin by Z-scheme Ag2CO3/Cu-BiVO4 heterojunction via peroxydisulfate activation

The Ag 2 CO 3 /Cu-BiVO 4 (ACCB) Z -scheme heterojunction photocatalyst was synthesized via a combined hydrothermal and deposition method to activate peroxydisulfate (PDS) for efficient degradation of norfloxacin (NOR). Compared with conventional photocatalysts, the as-prepared Z -scheme heterojunction effectively promotes the separation of photogenerated carriers via a Z-scheme charge transfer pathway. Systematic characterizations including XRD, SEM, and XPS verified the successful preparation of the ACCB Z -scheme heterojunction and the incorporation of Cu, both of which play key roles in enhancing PDS activation and NOR degradation. Photocatalytic degradation experiments demonstrated that ACCB-100 exhibited optimal performance among the ACCB catalyst series under visible light irradiation, achieving a NOR degradation efficiency of 95.68% within 120 min, which was significantly superior to those of the pristine single-component materials. Further cyclic degradation experiments showed that ACCB-100 still retained a degradation efficiency of 88.62% after five cycles, indicating its excellent photocatalytic stability. Simultaneously, radical trapping experiments and ESR analyses demonstrated that h + , ·O 2 − , ·OH and SO 4 ·- were the active species involved in the photocatalytic degradation of NOR.