MOF-Derived Bi12O17Cl2 Nanoflakes for the Photocatalytic Degradation of Bisphenol A and Tetracycline Hydrochloride under Visible Light

Photocatalytic degradation of pollutants is an attractive method to handle environmental pollution issues. Here, Bi12O17Cl2 photocatalysts were synthesized facilely by hydrolyzed bismuth-based metal organic framework (Bi-BTC) precursors, and their thickness was adjusted by controlling the hydrolysis time. Under visible light irradiation, MOF-derived Bi12O17Cl2 nanoflakes fabricated by this strategy exhibited higher photocatalytic activity in the degradation of bisphenol A (BPA) and tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) than the conventional Bi12O17Cl2 materials prepared by hydrothermal and chemical precipitation, which could reach up to 94.3 and 92.2% within 60 min under optimal conditions. The inhibition experiments and electron spin resonance (ESR) confirmed that superoxide radicals (<middle dot>O-2(-)) were the main active species for photodegradation activity. Furthermore, the possible degradation pathways of BPA and TCH were proposed according to the detected intermediates by LC-MS. At the same time, this method has been extended to synthesize Bi5O7I and Bi12O17Br2 materials, providing a strategy for the fabrication of bismuth-rich bismuth oxyhalide materials in environment treatment.