Facile preparation of 2D Bi2MoO6 nanosheets–RGO composites with enhanced photocatalytic activity

Bi2MoO6 nanosheets–RGO nanocomposites were prepared as photocatalysts via a facile hydrothermal treatment. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The Bi2MoO6 nanosheets were distributed on the surface of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets. The photocatalytic performance of as-prepared Bi2MoO6–RGO nanocomposites was investigated sufficiently by the photodegradation of ciprofloxacin (CIP). The results show that the Bi2MoO6 nanosheets–RGO nanocomposites have higher photocatalytic activity compared to pure Bi2MoO6 under light irradiation, which is attributed to the synergetic effect of the Bi2MoO6 nanosheets and RGOsheets. Based on the intermediate products of CIP detected, the possible photocatalytic degradation pathway of ciprofloxacin was proposed. The Bi2MoO6 nanosheets–RGO nanocomposites show great potential for application in the water purification field.