Construction and performance of a novel CuBi2O4/In2O3 Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst

A novel all-solid-state Z-scheme visible-light-driven photocatalytic material, CuBi2O4/In2O3 was successfully prepared by loading CuBi2O4 onto flower-like In2O3. The resulting material was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, UV-diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-DRS), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), photoluminescence (PL), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Compared with single-phase CuBi2O4 and In2O3, the coupled composite phase of 15% CuBi2O4/In2O3 (15CuIn) showed superior photocatalytic activity. Its decolorization rate of methylene blue (MB) could reach 97% in 80 min under visible light irradiation and could be maintained at 85% after four cycles. The outstanding photocatalytic performance of CuBi2O4/In2O3 was attributed to the formation of a Z-scheme heterogeneous structure, which increased the visible light absorption, enhanced the specific surface area, and improved the interfacial charge transfer efficiency. This study provides a novel approach for the construction of efficient heterojunction photocatalysts for wastewater treatment. •A novel all-solid-state visible-light photocatalyst CuBi2O4/In2O3 was first successfully prepared.•The decolorization rates of MB could reach 97% in 80 min.•The Z-scheme heterogeneous structure increases visible light absorption, and improves interfacial charge transfer efficiency.