Bi2O3/TiO2 heterostructures: Synthesis, characterization and their application in solar light mediated photocatalyzed degradation of an antibiotic, ofloxacin

Abstract In an attempt to synthesize efficient visible light responsive photocatalyst, we have prepared Bi 2 O 3 /TiO 2 hetero-structures using a simple hydrothermal technique. The detailed characterization has been carried out using XRD, FESEM, TEM, XPS, UV–vis DRS and BET surface area analyzer. It was observed that hetero–nanostructures composed of crystalline anatase TiO 2 and monoclinic α-Bi 2 O 3 have been synthesized, with high visible light response and surface area. Photocatalytic degradation for a widely used antibiotic drug, ofloxacin was further studied in solar light illumination and it was found that complete degradation took place in 120 min of photocatalytic reaction using synthesized Bi 2 O 3 /TiO 2 catalyst. The photocatalytic degradation rates were also compared with that of commercially available photocatalysts such as TiO 2 P25 (Degussa), PC 50 and PC 500. The plausible mechanism for photocatalytic degradation reaction taking place on the Bi 2 O 3 /TiO 2 heterojunction was also studied.