Fabrication of a Z-scheme Bi₂MoO₆/NiFe layered double hydroxide heterojunction for the visible light-driven degradation of tetracycline antibiotics

Heterojunction catalysts offer promising potential for efficient and sustainable remediation of polluted environments. In this study, Z-scheme Bi₂MoO₆/NiFe layered double hydroxide (BMO/NiFe) heterojunction catalysts were synthesized using solvothermal process. The surface morphology, crystalline structure, and photochemical characteristics of the synthesized photocatalyst were analyzed by several spectroscopic and electron microscopy methods. BMO, NiFe and BMO/NiFe were efficiently utilized for tetracycline (TC) antibiotics degradation under visible light irradiation. The experimental findings suggest that the BMO/NiFe₁₅ heterojunction catalyst greatly enhances the TC degradation rate to 95 % under 300 W visible light irradiation for 120 min. The rate constant of 0.0219 min⁻¹ indicates a rapid degradation process following pseudo first-order kinetics. Furthermore, the effect of active free radicals, the recyclability of the catalyst and the photocatalytic degradation mechanism of TC were proposed. This novel method opens up possibilities for creating advanced photocatalysts, which can effectively degrade TC in water bodies, addressing the urgent need for its removal from aquatic environments. The present work serves as a primary pathway to design and develop efficient Bi₂MoO₆-based direct Z-scheme photocatalysts with promising applications in simultaneous wastewater degradation with hydrogen evolution.