Piezo-Photocatalytic Technology Based on Bismuth Ferrite (Bi₂Fe₄O₉) for Degradation of Reactive Dye KN-R

Abstract

Dyeing wastewater poses a serious threat to environmental protection and industrial development. The piezoelectric effect can be used to optimize the band structure of semiconductors and improve the photon efficiency of photocatalysts. Bi₂Fe₄O₉, a narrow gap semiconductor with piezoelectric effect, was prepared by a hydrothermal synthesis method for the degradation of reactive dye KN-R. The results show that the degradation efficiency of KN-R can be significantly improved by piezophotocatalysis, and the degradation rate constant of piezophotocatalysis k_pi-phis about 3. 4 times as large as the degradation rate constant of piezoelectric catalysis k_piand about 2. 6 times as large as the degradation rate constant of photocatalysis k_ph. At a pH value of 3 and a lower KN-R mass concentration(60 mg/L), a higher degradation efficiency(98. 5%) is achieved. CO₃^2-and cationic surfactant(CTAB) inhibit the degradation of KN-R. It is proved that the contributions of different active species to the degradation of KN-R follow the order: ·OH, ·O₂~-, h+,and ~1O₂. The possible mechanism of piezo-photocatalytic degradation of KN-R was discussed. The photoexcitation generates a large amount of free charges, and the piezoelectric effect modulates the energy band structure of Bi₂Fe₄O₉ and promotes the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. The synergistic effect of the two factors significantly improves the degradation efficiency of KN-R.

Keywords

Bi₂Fe₄O₉ / piezo-photocatalysis / degradation / wastewater treatment / reactive dye KN-R

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