Insights into the highly efficient SPR enhanced photodegradation of tetracycline by Bi/BiMoO composites.

A Bi/BiMoO nanocomposite is fabricated utilizing a simple one-pot solvothermal method, which shows great photodegradation ability to tetracycline (TC). The effect of Bi nanoparticles on the photodegradation of TC was investigated, and it is ascribed to the surface plasmonic resonance (SPR) effect. The light energy could be strongly absorbed by the Bi nanoparticles, and then transferred to the adjacent BiMoO, to enhance the photocatalytic performance. The results of the sacrifice experiment and quantitative analysis of active radicals showed that the photoelectrons could react with soluble O and ·OH to form ·O, which finally dominates in the process of photocatalytic degradation of TC. This work proposed a way to construct a highly efficient photocatalyst based on SPR effect, which has great application potential in environmental treatment.