Construction of Z-type Bi₁₂O₁₅Cl₆/Ag₂CO₃ photocatalyst for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of RhB and TC

In the face of water pollution, constructing a photocatalyst with high redox ability to remove organic pollutants is necessary. A novel Z-scheme Bi₁₂O₁₅Cl₆/Ag₂CO₃ heterojunction was successfully designed. Under LED light, the best sample 8% Bi₁₂O₁₅Cl₆/Ag₂CO₃ can remove 99.8% RhB and 79.8% TC within 90 min. The morphology, structure, electrochemical and optical performance of Bi₁₂O₁₅Cl₆/Ag₂CO₃ were detected by a series of characterization. The charge separation and transition efficiency were verified by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and photocurrent. The photodegradation pathway, intermediate product and active substances were measured by mass spectrometry (MS). During photocatalytic reactions, ·OH, ·O₂⁻ and h⁺ are active substances, among which h⁺ played an extremely important role. A Z-type photocatalytic reaction mechanism was produced based on the capture test. This study provides a new idea for the synthesis of Z-type hybrid structure for the degradation of organic pollutants.