Role of CTF in Bi2WO6/ZnO photocatalysts for effective degradation and hydrogen energy evolution

Abstract Energy crisis and water pollution are two serious threats to modern society. To overcome these problems a novel 3D-CTF@Bi2WO6/ZnO photocatalyst was prepared by using a hydrothermal method. Various techniques including XRD, SEM, UV-vis, BET and PL were used to analyze the crystallinity, morphology, structure, surface area and optical properties of the synthesized materials. The efficacy of the synthesized photocatalysts were evaluated by degrading the norfloxacin, sulfamethoxazole and by producing hydrogen gas through photocatalytic water splitting. The enhanced photocatalytic activity was due to the 3D structure of the material and synergy of the multicomponent system which also increased the separation of charge carriers. The Bi2WO6 has degraded the norfloxacin 55.21%, and 61.5% sulfamethoxazole in 90 min. The hybrid composite CTF@Bi2WO6/ZnO achieved the degradation rates of 85% for norfloxacin and 84% for sulfamethoxazole in the presence of LED light for 90 min which is much higher than the pure composite. Similarly, hydrogen evolution by using Bi2WO6 was 41/mmol/h−1g−1 and CTF@Bi2WO6/ZnO produced 387.9/mmol/h−1g−1 hydrogen. The prepared hybrid photocatalyst showed excellent photocatalytic activity and hydrogen production efficiency in a short period of time. So, the 3D-CTF@Bi2WO6/ZnO hybrid photocatalyst can be used in further photocatalytic applications.