In situ growing Bi2MoO6 on g-C3N4 nanosheets with enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and disinfection of bacteria under visible light irradiation

TEM image and schematic diagram of photocatalytic mechanism of Bi2MoO6/g-C3N4 composite. [Display omitted] •BM/CNNs heterojunctions were obtained by an in situ solvothermal method.•2D CNNs are superior to CN as photocatalysts and supporting materials.•The photocatalytic hydrogen evolution of BM/CNNs has been first studied.•The photocatalytic disinfection of bacteria by BM/CNNs has been first studied.•The photocatalytic mechanism of BM/CNNs heterojunction was described. Bi2MoO6/g-C3N4 heterojunctions were fabricated by an in situ solvothermal method using g-C3N4 nanosheets. The photocatalytic activities of as-prepared samples were evaluated by hydrogen evolution from water splitting and disinfection of bacteria under visible light irradiation. The results indicate that exfoliating bulk g-C3N4 to g-C3N4 nanosheets greatly enlarges the specific surface area and shortens the diffusion distance for photogenerated charges, which could not only promote the photocatalytic performance but also benefit the sufficient interaction with Bi2MoO6. Furthermore, intimate contact of Bi2MoO6 (BM) and g-C3N4 nanosheets (CNNs) in the BM/CNNs composites facilitates the transfer and separation of photogenetrated electron-hole pairs. 20%-BM/CNNs heterojunction exhibits the optimal photocatalytic hydrogen evolution as well as photocatalytic disinfection of bacteria. Furthermore, h+ was demonstrated as the dominant reactive species which could make the bacteria cells inactivated in the photocatalytic disinfection process. This study extends new chance of g-C3N4-based photocatalysts to the growing demand of clean new energy and drinking water.