Visible-light-driven 3D Bi5O7I/BiOCl microsphere with enhanced photocatalytic capability: Performance, degradation pathway, antibacterium and mechanism

It is well known that both of the separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers and the response capability to visible light remarkably affect the photocatalytic performance. In the present work, a 3D microsphere of Bi5O7I/BiOCl heterojunction catalyst was synthetised. The synergy of Bi5O7I and BiOCl not only significantly enhances the transfer rate and separation efficiency of carriers, but also heightens light absorption capacity. As-prepared Bi5O7I/BiOCl (40 wt% BiOCl) has a higher degradation efficiency on doxycycline hydrochloride (DC) (90 min, 83.0%) and super high inhibition rate (90 min, 99.92%) on Escherichia coli under visible light, compared to the two monomers. Pollutants DC is finally decomposed into CO2, H2O and small molecule intermediates by generated h+, •OH and •O2−. The effects of reactive radicals follow the order of •OH radicals > h+ radicals ≫ •O2− and e− radicals. The possible structures of intermediates and four possible degradation pathways involved were also discussed. In addition, As-synthetised Bi5O7I/BiOCl has preferable reusability and excellent chemical stability. Biological toxicity experiments also verify that Bi5O7I/BiOCl is a green and environmentally friendly composite material. This strategy provides a green, low-toxic way for the application of traditional type II heterojunction in the fields of environmental remediation and photocatalysis. [Display omitted] •A 3D microsphere Bi5O7I/BiOCl heterojunction was constructed by precipitation method.•High photodegradation to doxycycline hydrochloride (83%, 90 min) was obtained.•Bi5O7I/BiOCl exhibits super high antibacterial ability for E. coli (99.92%, 90 min).•Bi5O7I/BiOCl has preferable reusability and excellent chemical stability.•Degradation paths and photocatalytic mechanism were provided under visible light.