Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Ciprofloxacin Using a Bi₂MoO₆/g-C₃N₄ Heterojunction under Visible Light Irradiation

Abstract

In this study, a Bi2MoO6/g-C3N4 heterojunction photocatalyst was successfully synthesized via a hydrothermal method combined with thermal treatment to enhance visible-light-driven photocatalytic performance. Integration of Bi2MoO6 and g-C3N4 was designed to exploit the synergistic effect between the two semiconductors, aiming to improve light absorption and suppress the recombination of photogenerated electron–hole pairs. The synthesized materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy analysis (UV–Vis DRS) of spectroscopy to evaluate their structural, morphological, and optical properties. The photocatalytic activity of the Bi2MoO6/g-C3N4 composite was assessed through the degradation of ciprofloxacin (CIP), a widely used and environmentally persistent antibiotic, under visible light irradiation. Results revealed that the Bi2MoO6/g-C3N4 composite exhibited significantly enhanced degradation efficiency compared to the individual components, along with excellent stability and reusability. The improved photocatalytic performance was attributed to the effective charge separation and extended light absorption range facilitated by the heterojunction structure. This study demonstrates the potential of Bi2MoO6/g-C3N4 as an efficient visible-light-responsive photocatalyst for treating antibiotic-contaminated wastewater, contributing to the development of sustainable water purification technologies.