Bi/BiOCl/Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 heterojunction was prepared via one-step hydrothermal process under the synergistic catalysis of Ni 2+ , where Bi(NO 3 ) 3 was employed as Bi source, DMF was used as carbon source and reductant, NiCl 2 was adopted as Cl source and co-catalyst. The content of Bi, BiOCl and Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 can be adjusted by changing the reaction time, temperature, content of DMF and NiCl 2 . The doping of Bi enhanced the photocatalytic activity of BiOCl/Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 under visible-light. Bi/BiOCl/Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 presented photo-degradation activity for environmental pollutants of rhodamine B, sunset yellow and tetracycline, which were 13.01, 9.40, 1.50 times and 168.38, 10.90, 4.75 times higher than BiOCl and Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 , respectively. The improved photocatalytic activity was ascribed to the sensitized effect of Bi and BiOCl, the surface plasmon resonance effect and the heterojunction structure, which inhibited the recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. The degradation mechanism for rhodamine B was discussed, and the decreased toxicity of the degradation products was demonstrated. • The novel Bi/BiOCl/Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 catalyst was synthesized by one-pot hydrothermal method. • Ni 2+ can catalyze the reduction reaction of Bi 3+ by DMF. • Bi/BiOCl/Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 presents enhanced photocatalytic activity for organic pollutants degradation. • 1 O 2 ,·O 2 - and h + play important functions in the photocatalytic process. • The reduced toxicity of the degradation products was testified with culture mung bean sprouts. 

Ni2+-assisted catalytic one-step synthesis of Bi/BiOCl/Bi2O2CO3 heterojunction with enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light

Despite the photocatalytic organic pollutant degradation using ZnO started in 1910–1911, many challenges are still ahead, and several critical issues have to be addressed. Large band gap, and short life‐time of photogenerated electrons and holes are critical issues negatively affect the photocatalytic activity of ZnO. Various approaches have been introduced to overcome these issues including intrinsic doping, extrinsic doping, and heterostructure. This review introduces unique and deep insights into tuning of the photocatalytic activity of ZnO. It starts by description of how to tune the photocatalytic activity of pristine ZnO through tuning its morphology, surface area, exposed face, and intrinsic defects. Afterward, the review explains how the Z‐scheme approach succeed to address the redox weakened issue of heterojunction approach. In general, this review provides a clear image that helps the researcher to tune the photocatalytic activity of pristine ZnO and its heterostructure.

Strategies to Enhance ZnO Photocatalyst's Performance for Water Treatment: A Comprehensive Review

Construction of carbon nanotubes bridged MoS2/ZnO Z-scheme nanohybrid towards enhanced visible light driven photocatalytic water disinfection and antibacterial activity

Piezoelectric materials and techniques for environmental pollution remediation.

Photocatalytic degradation of cefixime using visible light-driven Z-scheme ZnO nanorod/Zn2TiO4/GO heterostructure.

Wastewater remediation with ZnO photocatalysts: Green synthesis and solar concentration as an economically and environmentally viable route to application.

Asma El Golli

Papers

Wastewater remediation with ZnO photocatalysts: Green synthesis and solar concentration as an economically and environmentally viable route to application.

Development of an electrochemical nanoplatform for non-enzymatic glucose sensing based on Cu/ZnO nanocomposite