Photocatalytic activity of (002) crystalline facets for novel Bi-sourced Bi-MOF nanoparticles enhanced degradation of rhodamine B and reduction of hexavalent chromium

Type II heterojunction photocatalysts possessed excellent redox properties and had great potential for environmental remediation applications. In this paper, a novel Bi source of Bi-MOF was created by using NaBiO3. Additionally, KCl was incorporated to contest Bi-MOF for the Bi source, with the objective of generating floral BiOCl. Subsequently, heterostructures based on metal-organic skeletons (MOFs) were constructed with Bi-MOF and BiOCl, with the aim of exposing the (002) crystal faces of BiBDC. The modification of the (002) crystal surface was employed to create holes or generate more photogenerated electrons, resulting in efficient degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) and simultaneous reduction of hexavalent chromium. The heterogeneous structure demonstrated a degradation rate of 97 % for rhodamine B (RhB) after reaching adsorption equilibrium in 30 min of dark reaction and 10 min of visible light irradiation. Furthermore, the reduction rate of hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) was 95.5 % after reaching adsorption equilibrium in 30 min of dark reaction and 70 min of visible light irradiation. The results of the cycling experiments demonstrated that both 1:1 BBOC and 1:3 BBOC retained their structural integrity following four cycles. The active species trapping results indicated that the hole radicals (h+) and electrons were responsible for the degradation of RhB and the reduction of hexavalent chromium, respectively. This study also revealed the degradation pathways and mechanisms of heterojunctions, providing new ideas for the preparation of photocatalysts for environmental remediation. [Display omitted] •Photocatalytic activity of (002) crystalline facets for novel Bi-sourced Bi-MOF nanoparticles enhanced.•The catalysts in question are multifunctional and are capable of photocatalytic degradation of RhB and reduction of Cr(IV).•The special structure improves the efficiency of rhodamine B degradation and Cr(IV) reduction.