J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2026, Vol. 246: 237-246.DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2024.12.088

• Research Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Flower-like Ag/Ag2O/Bi12O17Cl2 heterojunction for photocatalytic removal of antibiotics: Synergetic effect of plasmonic effect and p-n heterojunction

Shijie Lia,b,*, Xiaoqin Wanga, Bing Xuea, Diejing Fenga,*, Yanping Liua, Wei Jianga,*   

  1. aKey Laboratory of Health Risk Factors for Seafood of Zhejiang Province, College of Marine Science and Technology, National Engineering Research Center for Marine Aquaculture, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316022, China;
    bState Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
  • Received:2024-10-31 Revised:2024-12-12 Accepted:2024-12-15 Published:2026-03-01 Online:2025-03-09
  • Contact: *E-mail addresses: lishijie@zjou.edu.cn (S. Li), feng-dj@zjou.edu.cn (D. Feng), jiangw@zjou.edu.cn (W. Jiang).

Abstract: The advancement of photocatalysis techniques for wastewater purification relies on the exploration of outstanding photocatalysts. Herein, a novel flower-like plasmonic p-n heterojunction of Ag/Ag2O/Bi12O17Cl2 was successfully constructed for efficient purification of antibiotic wastewater under visible light. The synergetic effect of plasmonic effect and p-n heterojunction facilitates the separation and utilization of photo-induced carriers for creation of ample reactive species, thus boosting the catalytic tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) decomposition reactions. The TC removal rate of the optimized Ag/Ag2O/Bi12O17Cl2 heterojunction is 12.6, 3.2, and 2.3 times that of single Ag2O, Bi12O17Cl2, and Ag2O/Bi12O17Cl2 respectively. The photo-induced h+, ·O2- and ·OH are confirmed to be the major contributors in the photocatalytic reactions. Also, the possible degradation pathways of TC are proposed, and the toxicity of the intermediates are estimated. This work offers insights into the design of plasmonic p-n photocatalysts for environmental purifications.

Key words: p-n heterojunction, Plasmonic effect, Ag/Ag2O/Bi12O17Cl2, Internal electric field, Photocatalysis