One stone two birds: novel carbon nanotube/BiVOCl photocatalyst for simultaneous organic pollutants degradation and Cr(VI) reduction.

In this work, visible light-responsive carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/BiVOCl composite photocatalysts have been prepared by a facile in situ hydrothermal method and characterized by various techniques. The photocatalytic properties of the photocatalysts are evaluated by the degradation of refractory azo-dye methyl orange (MO), hexavalent chromium Cr(VI), and bisphenol A (BPA) in water under visible light irradiation. It is found that the as-prepared composite with 4 wt% CNTs shows an optimal photocatalytic performance, and its photocatalytic activity is 30% higher than that of pure BiVOCl. The enhanced photocatalytic activity is ascribed to the synergetic effects induced by increased light absorption, increased adsorption efficiency for pollutant, and suppressed recombination rate of photogenerated charge carriers. Furthermore, efficient removals of Cr(VI), bisphenol A (BPA), and combined contamination of Cr(VI) and BPA over CNTs/BiVOCl composite further confirm that the degradation of organic pollutants is a photocatalytic mechanism rather than photosensitization of dye. Of particular importance is that removal efficiency of single pollutant can be promoted by the coexistence of the Cr(VI) and organics. The mechanism of synergetic promotion is discussed and attributed to the accelerated separation of charge carriers resulted from their simultaneously being captured by pollutants. Moreover, the CNTs/BiVOCl composite exhibits good stability and recycling performance in the photocatalytic degradation process. Therefore, the composite photocatalysts developed in the present work are expected to have the potential in purification of complex wastewater. Graphical abstract The separation of photogenerated charge carriers and adsorbing capacity as well as visible light absorption ability of BiVOCl are significantly promoted by coupling with carbon nanotubes. Simultaneous removal of Cr(VI) and organic pollutants can be achieved by CNTs/BiVOCl composite photocatalysts under visible light irradiation.