Innovative BiOI/MIL-101(Cr) Compounds: A Leap Forward in Photocatalytic Tetracycline Removal.

In environmental chemistry, photocatalysts for eliminating organic contaminants in water have gained significant interest. Our study introduces a unique heterostructure combining MIL-101(Cr) and bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI). We evaluated this nanostructure's efficiency in adsorbing and degrading tetracycline (TC) under visible light. The BiOI@MIL-101(Cr) composite, with a surface area of 637 m/g, prevents self-aggregation seen in its components, enhancing visible light absorption. Its photocatalytic efficiency surpassed BiOI and MIL-101(Cr) by 33.4 and 9.2 times, respectively. Comprehensive analyses, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), confirmed the successful formation of the heterostructure with defined morphological characteristics. BET analysis demonstrated its high surface area, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed its crystallinity. Electron spin resonance (ESR) tests showed significant generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) like h and·•O under light, crucial for TC degradation. The material maintained exceptional durability over five cycles. Density functional theory (DFT) simulations and empirical investigations revealed a type I heterojunction between BiOI and MIL-101(Cr), facilitating efficient electron-hole pair separation. This study underscores the superior photocatalytic activity and stability of BiOI@MIL-101(Cr), offering insights into designing innovative photocatalysts for water purification.