Z-scheme MoS₂/Bi₂O₃ heterojunctions: Enhanced photocatalytic degradation performance and mechanistic insight

A new Z-scheme MoS₂/Bi₂O₃ heterojunction photocatalyst was successfully prepared using a facile and practical hydrothermal method. The Z-scheme MoS₂/Bi₂O₃ heterojunction exhibits a superior degradation efficiency compared to pure MoS₂ and Bi₂O₃ for removing industrial and domestic pollutants under visible light, such as 2-mercaptobenzothiazole, tetracycline and rhodamine B. The enhancement in the photocatalytic performance mainly stems from the interfacial interaction between the MoS₂ nanosheets and Bi₂O₃ rods, which can increase the specific surface area and accelerate the separation of the photo-induced electron-hole pairs. To explain this interfacial interaction between MoS₂ and Bi₂O₃ in the Z-scheme MoS₂/Bi₂O₃ heterojunction, several characterization techniques were applied. In addition, the photocatalytic mechanism for degrading pollutants was demonstrated using trapping experiments and electron spin resonance. This work could provide a promising approach for the formation of other Z-scheme transition metal compound heterojunctions with outstanding photocatalytic activity.