Construction of NH2-MIL-125(Ti)/Bi2WO6 composites with accelerated charge separation for degradation of organic contaminants under visible light irradiation

Abstract Photocatalysis is considered as an ideal strategy for water pollution treatment. However, it remains challenging to design a highly efficient photocatalytic system through regulating the charge flow via a precise approach. In this work, a novel NH2-MIL-125(Ti)/Bi2WO6 composite was constructed via self-assembly growing Bi2WO6 nanosheets on NH2-MIL-125(Ti) material. The characterization results demonstrated that NH2-MIL-125(Ti) was successfully incorporated into Bi2WO6 and the photoexcited carriers could be efficiently separated and transferred between the two components. NH2-MIL-125(Ti)/Bi2WO6 composites displayed enhanced photocatalytic activity for the removal of rhodamine B (RhB) and tetracycline (TC) under visible light irradiation, and the optimal weight ratio of NH2-MIL-125(Ti) was determined to be 7 wt%. The introduction of NH2-MIL-125(Ti) into Bi2WO6 could raise the absorption of visible light, accelerate the separation and transfer of charge carriers, and boost photocatalytic activity. This research presents a wide range of possibilities for the further development of novel composites in the field of environment purification.