Bi-Doped and Bi Nanoparticles Loaded CeO₂ Derived from Ce-MOF for Photocatalytic Degradation of Formaldehyde Gas and Tetracycline Hydrochloride

Bi/CeO2 (BC-x) photocatalysts are successfully prepared by solvothermal loading Bi nanoparticles and Bi-doped CeO2 derived by Ce-MOF (Ce-BTC). Formaldehyde gas (HCHO) and tetracycline hydrochloride (HTC) are used to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of the synthesized Bi/CeO2. For BC-1000 photocatalyst, the degradation of HTC by 420 nm < lambda < 780 nm light reaches 91.89% for 90 min, and HCHO by 350 nm < lambda < 780 nm light reaches 94.66% for 120 min. The photocatalytic cycle experiments prove that BC-1000 has good cyclic stability and repeatability. The results of photoluminescence spectra, fluorescence lifetime, photocurrent response, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed that the SPR (Surface Plasmon Resonance) effect of Bi nanoparticles acted as a bridge and promoted electron transfer and enhanced the response-ability of Bi/CeO2 to visible light. Bi-doping produced more oxygen vacancies to provide adsorption sites for adsorbing oxygen and generated more O-2(-) thus promoting photocatalytic reactions. The mechanism of photocatalytic degradation is analyzed in detail utilizing active free radical capture experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) characterization. The experimental results indicate that O-2(-) and h(+) active free radicals significantly promote the degradation of pollutants.