Abstract
The polyacrylamide gel method combined with low- temperature calcination technology (PGMCLCT) have been successfully used to synthesize BaMoO4-coupled CaWO4 heterojunction micro/nanocomposites (BCCHMNs) with excellent photoluminescence properties and enhanced photocatalytic activity towards methylene blue (MB) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) degradation. The photoluminescent properties and photocatalytic activity of BCCHMNs strongly depend on the special interfacial contact between BaMoO4 and CaWO4. Phase structure, functional group, oxidation state, and microstructure analysis confirm that the BCCHMNs contains only BaMoO4 and CaWO4 phases, without any other impurities, and that the interface between BaMoO4 and CaWO4 forms a type II band arrangement heterojunction. The BaMoO4/10 wt% CaWO4 heterojunction micro/nanocomposites exhibit two obvious emission peaks at 470 and 490 nm under the excitation wavelength of 311 nm. The BaMoO4/15 wt% CaWO4 heterojunction micro/nanocomposites exhibit highest photocatalytic activity of about 95.433% for the degradation of MB and 97.886% for the degradation of CIP, due to the high charge transfer and separation efficiency, and optimal initial dye or CIP concentration and photocatalyst content are 20 mg/L and 1 g/L, respectively. With the increase of CaWO4 mass percentage, the photoluminescence and photocatalysis of BCCHMNs showed an opposite trend. The dependence of photoluminescence and photocatalysis on special interface contact and adsorbed oxygen provides an idea to study other types of metal oxide heterojunctions for the degradation of antibiotics.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data Availability
The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
References
O. Surucu, Electrochemical removal and simultaneous sensing of mercury with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry from drinking water. Mater. Today Chem. 23, 100639 (2022).
H.J. Gao, S.F. Wang, L.M. Fang, G.A. Sun, X.P. Chen, S.N. Tang, H. Yang, G.Z. Sun, and D.F. Li, Nanostructured spinel-type M (M= Mg Co, Zn) Cr2O4 oxides: novel adsorbents for aqueous Congo red removal. Mater. Today Chem. 22, 100593 (2021).
H. Liu, S. Wang, H. Gao, H. Yang, F. Wang, X. Chen, S. Tang, Z. Yi, and D. Li, A simple polyacrylamide gel route for the synthesis of MgAl2O4 nanoparticles with different metal sources as an efficient adsorbent: Neural network algorithm simulation, equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamic studies. Sep. Purif. Technol. 281, 119855 (2022).
T.T. Cheng, H.J. Gao, G.R. Liu, Z.S. Pu, S.F. Wang, Z. Yi, X.W. Wu, and H. Yang, Preparation of core-shell heterojunction photocatalysts by coating CdS nanoparticles onto Bi4Ti3O12 hierarchical microspheres and their photocatalytic removal of organic pollutants and Cr(VI) ions. Colloid. Surface. A 633, 127918 (2022).
Z. Habibollahi, M. Peyravi, S. Khalili, and M. Jahanshahi, ZnO-based ternary nanocomposite for decolorization of methylene blue by photocatalytic dynamic membrane. Mater. Today Chem. 23, 100748 (2022).
L. Li, H. Gao, G. Liu, S. Wang, Z. Yi, X. Wu, and H. Yang, Synthesis of carnation flower-like Bi2O2CO3 photocatalyst and its promising application for photoreduction of Cr(VI). Adv. Powder Technol. 33, 103481 (2022).
B. Pant, G.P. Ojha, J. Acharya, and M. Park, Ag3PO4-TiO2-Carbon nanofiber composite: An efficient Visible-light photocatalyst obtained from eelectrospinning and hydrothermal methods. Sep. Purif. Technol. 276, 119400 (2021).
T. Cheng, Q. Ma, H. Gao, S. Meng, Z. Lu, S. Wang, Z. Yi, X. Wu, G. Liu, X. Wang, and H. Yang, Enhanced photocatalytic activity, mechanism and potential application of Idoped-Bi4Ti3O12 photocatalysts. Mater. Today Chem. 23, 100750 (2022).
R. Haounati, A. El Guerdaoui, H. Ouachtak, R. El Haouti, A. Bouddouch, N. Hafid, B. Bakiz, D.M.F. Santos, M. Labd Taha, A. Jada, A.A. Addi, Design of direct Z-scheme superb magnetic nanocomposite photocatalyst Fe3O4/Ag3PO4@ Sep for hazardous dye degradation. Sep. Purif. Technol. 277, 119399 (2021).
T. Cheng, H. Gao, R. Li, S. Wang, Z. Yi, and H. Yang, Flexoelectricity-induced enhancement in carrier separation and photocatalytic activity of a photocatalyst. Appl. Surf. Sci. 566, 150669 (2021).
A. Jiménez-Almarza, A. Lopez-Magano, R. Cano, B. Ortín-Rubio, D. Díaz-García, S. Gomez-Ruiz, I. Imaz, D. Maspoch, R. Mas-Balleste, and J. Alemán, Engineering covalent organic frameworks in the modulation of photocatalytic degradation of pollutants under visible light conditions. Mater. Today Chem. 22, 100548 (2021).
H. Yang, A short review on heterojunction photocatalysts: Carrier transfer behavior and photocatalytic mechanisms. Mater. Res. Bull. 142, 111406 (2021).
L. Liang, Y. Cong, F. Wang, L. Yao, and L. Shi, Fabrication of wide visible-light response porous graphitic carbon nitride with excellent visible light photocatalytic performance. Mater. Res. Express 6, 086207 (2019).
L.S. Cavalcante, J.C. Sczancoski, R.L. Tranquilin, M.R. Joya, P.S. Pizani, J.A. Varela, and E. Longo, BaMoO4 powders processed in domestic microwave-hydrothermal: Synthesis, characterization and photoluminescence at room temperature. J. Phys. Chem. Solids 69, 2674 (2008).
Y. Mao, J. Wei, Y. Zou, and L. Zhu, Controllable synthesis, characterization and photoluminescence properties of flower-like BaMoO4 hierarchical architectures. CrystEngComm 22, 3115 (2020).
E. Orhan, M. Anicete-Santos, M.A. Maurera, F.M. Pontes, A.G. Souza, J. Andrès, and E. Longo, Towards an insight on the photoluminescence of disordered CaWO4 from a joint experimental and theoretical analysis. J. Solid State Chem. 178, 1284 (2005).
S. Liu, S. Tian, and R. Xing, CaWO4 hierarchical nanostructures: Hydrothermal synthesis, growth mechanism and photoluminescence properties. CrystEngComm 13, 7258 (2011).
L. Li, Y. Su, and G. Li, Size-induced symmetric enhancement and its relevance to photoluminescence of scheelite CaWO4 nanocrystals. Appl. Phys. Lett. 90, 054105 (2007).
A.M. Huerta-Flores, I. Juárez-Ramírez, L.M. Torres-Martínez, J.E. Carrera-Crespo, T. Gómez-Bustamante, and O. Sarabia-Ramos, Synthesis of AMoO4 (A= Ca, Sr, Ba) photocatalysts and their potential application for hydrogen evolution and the degradation of tetracycline in water. J. Photoch. Photobio. A 356, 29 (2018).
A. Gholami, and M. Maddahfar, Synthesis and characterization of barium molybdate nanostructures with the aid of amino acids and investigation of its photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange. J. Mater. Sci-Mater El. 27, 6773 (2016).
S.K. Ray, Surface modifications, perspectives, and challenges of scheelite metal molybdate photocatalysts for removal of organic pollutants in wastewater. J. Hur, Ceram. Int. 46, 20608 (2020).
M. Bazarganipour, Synthesis and characterization of BaMoO4 nanostructures prepared via a simple sonochemical method and their degradation ability of methylene blue. Ceram. Int. 42, 12617 (2016).
S.M. Ghoreishi, Facile synthesis and characterization of CaWO4 nanoparticles using a new Schiff base as capping agent: Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange. J. Mater. Sci-Mater El. 28, 14833 (2017).
Z. Shan, Y. Wang, H. Ding, and F. Huang, Structure-dependent photocatalytic activities of MWO4 (M= Ca, Sr, Ba). J. Mol. Catal. A-Chem 302, 54 (2009).
F.X. Nobre, R. Muniz, E.R. do Nascimento, R.S. Amorim, R.S. Silva, A. Almeida, J. Agostinho Moreira, P. B. Tavares, W.R. Brito, P.R.C. Couceiro, Y. Leyet, Y. Leyet, Hydrothermal temperature dependence of CaWO4 nanoparticles: Structural, optical, morphology and photocatalytic activity. J. Mater. Sci-Mater El. 32, 9776 (2021).
K. Manjunath, and C.G. Thimmanna, Effect of organic fuels on surface area and photocatalytic activity of scheelite CaWO4 nanoparticles. Mater. Res. Express 5, 035030 (2018).
A. Sobhani-Nasab, and M. Sadeghi, Preparation and characterization of calcium tungstate nanoparticles with the aid of amino acids and investigation its photocatalytic application. J. Mater. Sci-Mater El. 27, 7933 (2016).
H. Farsi, Z. Barzgari, and S.Z. Askari, Sunlight-induced photocatalytic activity of nanostructured calcium tungstate for methylene blue degradation. Res. Chem. Intermediat. 41, 5463 (2015).
S. Huang, Z. Lou, A. Shan, N. Zhu, K. Feng, and H. Yuan, An efficient near infrared photocatalyst of Er3+/Tm3+/Yb3+ tridoped (CaWO4@(TiO2/CaF2)) with multi-stage CaF2 nanocrystal formation. J. Mater. Chem. A 2, 16165 (2014).
A. Vosoughifar, Photodegradation of dye in waste water using CaWO4/NiO nanocomposites; Co-precipitation preparation and characterization. J. Mater. Sci-Mater El. 29, 3194 (2018).
S. Mohammadi-Aghdam, Green synthesis and characterization of Pr3+: CaWO4 nanostructures in the presence of maltose as a capping agent for photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B. J. Mater. Sci-Mater El. 28, 17161 (2017).
S.K. Ray, Y.K. Kshetri, D. Dhakal, C. Regmi, and S.W. Lee, Photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B and Ibuprofen with upconversion luminescence in Ag-BaMoO4:Er3+/Yb3+/K+ microcrystals. J. Photoch. Photobio. A 339, 36 (2017).
S.K. Ray, D. Dhakal, and S.W. Lee, Insight into sulfamethoxazole degradation, mechanism, and pathways by AgBr-BaMoO4 composite photocatalyst. J. Photoch. Photobio. A 364, 686 (2018).
P.N. Patil, U. Subramanian, and M. Jeyakanthan, Enhanced blue emission of CaWO4 in BaWO4/CaWO4 nanocomposite. J. Mater. Sci-Mater El. 31, 7260 (2020).
H. Gao, S. Wang, Y. Wang, H. Yang, F. Wang, S. Tang, Z. Yi, and D. Li, CaMoO4/CaWO4 heterojunction micro/nanocomposites with interface defects for enhanced photocatalytic activity. Colloid. Surface. A (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2022.128642.
H. Gao, C. Yu, Y. Wang, S. Wang, H. Yang, F. Wang, S. Tang, Z. Yi, and D. Li, A novel photoluminescence phenomenon in a SrMoO4/SrWO4 micro/nano heterojunction phosphors obtained by the polyacrylamide gel method combined with low temperature calcination technology. J. Lumin. 243, 118660 (2022).
Y. Wang, H. Gao, S. Wang, L. Fang, X. Chen, C. Yu, S. Tang, H. Liu, Z. Yi, and H. Yang, Facile synthesis of BaMoO4 and BaMoO4/BaWO4 heterostructures with type-I band arrangement and enhanced photoluminescence properties. Adv. Powder Technol. 32, 4186 (2021).
S. Wang, H. Gao, G. Sun, Y. Li, Y. Wang, H. Liu, and L. Yang, Structure characterization, optical and photoluminescence properties of scheelite-type CaWO4 nanophosphors: Effects of calcination temperature and carbon skeleton. Opt. Mater. 99, 109562 (2020).
S.F. Wang, H.J. Gao, J.Y. Li, Y. Wang, C.L. Chen, X.L. Yu, S.N. Tang, X.X. Zhao, G.Z. Sun, and D.F. Li, Comparative study of the photoluminescence performance and photocatalytic activity of CeO2/MgAl2O4 composite materials with an n-n heterojunction prepared by one-step synthesis and two-step synthesis methods. J. Phys. Chem. Solids 150, 109891 (2021).
M. Laguna, N.O. Nuñez, A.I. Becerro, and M. Ocaña, Morphology control of uniform CaMoO4 microarchitectures and development of white light emitting phosphors by Ln doping (Ln= Dy3+, Eu3+). CrystEngComm 19, 1590 (2017).
J.Y. Li, S.F. Wang, G.A. Sun, H.J. Gao, X.L. Yu, S.N. Tang, X.X. Zhao, Z. Yi, Y. Wang, and Y. Wei, Facile preparation of MgAl2O4/CeO2/Mn3O4 heterojunction photocatalyst and enhanced photocatalytic activity. Mater. Today Chem. 19, 100390 (2021).
S.F. Wang, X.Y. Chen, H.J. Gao, L.M. Fang, Q.W. Hu, G.A. Sun, S.N. Tang, H. Liu, C. Yu, and X.D. Pan, A comparative study on the phase structure, optical and NIR reflectivity of BaFe12O19 nano-pigments by the traditional and modified polyacrylamide gel method. J. Nano Res. 67, 1 (2021).
A.A. Santiago, E.M. Macedo, F.K. Oliveira, R.L. Tranquilin, M.D. Teodoro, E. Longo, and M.R. Bomio, Enhanced photocatalytic activity of CaMoO4/g-C3N4 composites obtained via sonochemistry synthesis. Mater. Res. Bull. 146, 111621 (2022).
Y. Zhai, L. Jiang, Y. Han, W. Wang, X. Chen, and H. Wu, Microwave synthesis and luminescence properties of PO43- and alkali metal ions-doped CaMoO4:Dy3+ phosphors. Optik 225, 165810 (2021).
P. Dixit, V. Chauhan, P. Kumar, and P.C. Pandey, Enhanced photoluminescence in CaMoO4: Eu3+ by Mn2+ co-doping. J. Lumin. 223, 117240 (2020).
S. Wang, S. Tang, H. Gao, L. Fang, Q. Hu, G. Sun, X. Chen, C. Yu, H. Liu, and X.D. Pan, Modified polyacrylamide gel synthesis of CeO2 nanoparticles by using cerium sulfate as metal source and its optical and photoluminescence properties. J. Mater. Sci-Mater. El. 32, 10820 (2021).
H.F. Devi, M. Anis, and T.D. Singh, Multicolour tuning of different RE ion doped CaMoO4 nanoparticles by single wavelength excitation. J. Mater. Sci-Mater El. 31, 9514 (2020).
H. Gao, Y. Wang, Q. Gao, X. Pan, S. Wang, H. Yang, C. Chen, Y. Wang, L. Fang, and Z. Yi, Phase evolution and photoluminescence behavior of MMoO4 (M= Mg, Ca, Sr) phosphors. Optik 241, 40 (2021).
M. Cornac, A. Janin, and J.C. Lavalley, Application of FTIR spectroscopy to the study of sulfidation of Mo catalysts supported on alumina or silica (4000–400 cm−1 range). Infrared Phys. 24, 143 (1984).
T. Hirata, In-situ observation of Mo-O Stretching vibrations during the reduction of MoO3 with hydrogen by diffuse reflectance FTIR spectroscopy. Appl. Surf. Sci. 40, 179 (1989).
H.W. Lee, and Y.D. Huh, Preparation of transparent suspensions of tunable-emission CaMoO4:(1–x)Eu3+,(x)Tb3+ nanophosphors. Opt. Mater. 111, 110594 (2021).
H.F. Zhai, W. Li, J. Zhang, D.D. Xing, Y.X. He, P.P. Zhang, H.R. Liu, J.E. Yang, and B. Wang, Excitation-induced tunable luminescent properties of polyhedral CaMoO4 microcrystallites. J. Mater. Sci-Mater El. 32, 10008 (2021).
J. Bhagwan, S.K. Hussain, and J.S. Yu, Facile Hydrothermal synthesis and electrochemical properties of CaMoO4 nanoparticles for aqueous asymmetric supercapacitors. Acs Sustain. Chem. Eng. 7, 12340 (2019).
H. Gao, H. Yang, S. Wang, D. Li, F. Wang, L. Fang, L. Lei, H. Xiao, and G. Yang, A new route for the preparation of CoAl2O4 nanoblue pigments with high uniformity and its optical properties. J. Sol-Gel Sci. Techn. 86, 206 (2018).
H. Gao, H. Yang, and S. Wang, Comparative study on optical and electrochemical properties of MFe2O4 (M= Mg, Ca, Ba) nanoparticles. T. Indian Ceram. Soc. 77, 150 (2018).
H. Gao, Y. Wang, S. Wang, H. Yang, Z. Yi, Z. A simple fabrication, microstructure, optical, photoluminescence and supercapacitive performances of MgMoO4/MgWO4 heterojunction micro/nanocomposites. Solid State Sci. 129, 106909 (2022).
N. Kelaidis, S. Bousiadi, M. Zervos, A. Chroneos, and N.N. Lathiotakis, Electronic properties of the Sn1−xPbxO alloy and band alignment of the SnO/PbO system: A DFT study. Sci. Rep-UK 10, 1 (2020).
V.B. Mikhailik, I.K. Bailiff, H. Kraus, P.A. Rodnyi, Two-photon excitation and luminescence of a CaWO4 scintillator. J. Ninkovic, Radiat. Meas. 38, 585 (2004).
P. Suneeta, R.A. Kumar, M.V. Ramana, G.K. Kumar, A. Chatterjee, and C. Rajesh, Synthesis and optical properties of Mn-doped CaWO4 nanoparticles. Phys. Scr. 95, 035806 (2020).
J. Oliva, E. Valadez-Renteria, Y.K. Kshetri, A. Encinas, S.W. Lee, and V. Rodriguez-Gonzalez, A sustainable composite of rice-paper/BaMoO4 nanoparticles for the photocatalytic elimination of the recalcitrant 2, 6-dichlorobenzamide (BAM) pesticide in drinking water and its mechanisms of degradation. Environ. Sci. Pollut. R. (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-19908-2.
K. Li, C. Dong, Y. Zhang, H. Wei, F. Zhao, and Q. Wang, Ag–AgBr/CaWO4 composite microsphere as an efficient photocatalyst for degradation of Acid Red 18 under visible light irradiation: Affecting factors, kinetics and mechanism. J. Mol. Catal. A-Chem. 394, 105 (2014).
S.L. Liu, B. Liu, Z. Xiang, L. Xu, X.F. Wang, Y. Liu, and X. Wang, Fabrication of CaWO4 microspheres with enhanced sonocatalytic performance for ciprofloxacin removal in aqueous solution. Colloid. Surf. A 628, 127206 (2021).
S. Wang, H. Gao, G. Sun, Y. Wang, L. Fang, L. Yang, L. Lei, and Y. Wei, Synthesis of visible-light-driven SrAl2O4-based photocatalysts using surface modification and ion doping. Russ. J. Phys. Chem. A 94, 1234 (2020).
S. Wang, H. Gao, Y. Jin, X. Chen, F. Wang, H. Yang, L. Fang, X. Chen, S. Tang, and D. Li, Defect engineering in novel broad-band gap hexaaluminate MAl12O19 (M=Ca, Sr, Ba)-Based photocatalysts Boosts Near ultraviolet and visible light-driven photocatalytic performance. Mater. Today Chem. 24, 100942 (2022).
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the NSAF joint Foundation of China (U2030116), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (12075215), the Chongqing Key Laboratory of Geological Environment Monitoring and Disaster Early-warning in Three Gorges Reservoir Area (No. ZD2020A0401), the Talent Introduction Project (09924601) of Chongqing Three Gorges University, the Science and Technology Research Program of Chongqing Education Commission of China (KJZD-K202001202) and the Scientific Research Fund of Sichuan Provincial Science and Technology Department (2020YJ0137, 2020YFG0467).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
HG, YW: Experimental analysis and theoretical research, Supervision. SW, HY, LF, DL: Supervision. XC, ZY: Writing – review and editing.
Corresponding authors
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.
Ethical approval
The authors claim that their study did not involve any animals.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gao, H., Wang, S., Wang, Y. et al. Fabrication and Characterization of BaMoO4-Coupled CaWO4 Heterojunction Micro/Nanocomposites with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity Towards MB and CIP Degradation. J. Electron. Mater. 51, 5230–5245 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-022-09769-3
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-022-09769-3