Synthesis of Cu2O/N,S-BiOBr Composite Photocatalysts and Their Performance for Tetracycline Degradation

doi:10.11901/1005.3093.2025.303

Chinese Journal of Materials Research

2026, Vol. 40

Issue (5): 333-342 DOI: 10.11901/1005.3093.2025.303

Special Section on Photocatalysis

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Synthesis of Cu₂O/N,S-BiOBr Composite Photocatalysts and Their Performance for Tetracycline Degradation

LIU Danyang¹^,², JING Miaomiao¹^,², ZHAO Qiang¹^,²(

), WANG Junli¹^,²(

), JIA Zhifang¹^,², LI Zuopeng¹^,², WANG Kewei¹^,²(

), GUO Yong¹^,²

^1.School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi Datong University, Datong 037009, China
^2.Shanxi Province Union Laboratory of Clean Energy Materials, Shanxi Datong University, Datong 037009, China

Cite this article:

LIU Danyang, JING Miaomiao, ZHAO Qiang, WANG Junli, JIA Zhifang, LI Zuopeng, WANG Kewei, GUO Yong. Synthesis of Cu₂O/N,S-BiOBr Composite Photocatalysts and Their Performance for Tetracycline Degradation. Chinese Journal of Materials Research, 2026, 40(5): 333-342.

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Abstract

In this study, Cu₂O/N,S-BiOBr photocatalysts were successfully synthesized by hydrothermal method, and their performance for catalytic degradation of tetracycline (TC) under visible light irradiation was systematically evaluated. The results showed that when the doping amount of Cu₂O was 10% (mass fraction), the catalyst exhibited the optimal activity with a degradation rate of approximately 85.63% for TC within 100 min. This improved performance was mainly attributed to the efficient interfacial charge transfer and synergistic effect between Cu₂O and N,S-BiOBr, which enhanced the separation efficiency of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, thereby improving the photocatalytic degradation ability. The results of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) tests indicated that superoxide radicals ( $⋅$ O $2 -$ ) and hydroxyl radicals ( $⋅$ OH) were the main active substances in the photocatalytic degradation process of TC. This study provided a valuable reference for constructing efficient visible light-driven catalysts.

Key words: composite Cu₂O/N S-BiOBr hydrothermal method photocatalysis degradation tetracycline

Received: 16 October 2025

ZTFLH:

O643

Fund: National Natural Science Foundation of China(21908135);National Natural Science Foundation of China(21975146);National Natural Science Foundation of China(52203266);Fund Program for the Scientific Activities of Selected Returned Overseas Professionals in Shanxi Province(20240027);Research Project Supported by Shanxi Scholarship Council of China(2020-134);Research Project Supported by Shanxi Scholarship Council of China(2022-173);Research Project Supported by Shanxi Scholarship Council of China(2025-201);Natural Science Research Project of Shanxi Province(202403021211022);Datong City Applied Basic Research Project(2025063)

Corresponding Authors: ZHAO Qiang, Tel: 15934234565, E-mail: zhaoqiangtylg@126.com;
WANG Junli, Tel: 15934234500, E-mail: wangjunlitylg@126.com;
WANG Kewei, Tel: 15296621181, E-mail: wangkewei@sxdtdx.edu.cn

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	Articles by authors
	LIU Danyang
	JING Miaomiao
	ZHAO Qiang
	WANG Junli
	JIA Zhifang
	LI Zuopeng
	WANG Kewei
	GUO Yong

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https://www.cjmr.org/EN/10.11901/1005.3093.2025.303 OR https://www.cjmr.org/EN/Y2026/V40/I5/333

Fig.1 Schematic diagram for the preparations of Cu₂O/N,S-BiOBr composite

Fig.2 XRD patterns of 10%Cu₂O/N,S-BiOBr, N,S-BiOBr and Cu₂O

Fig.3 SEM images of BiOBr (a), Cu₂O (b), N,S-BiOBr (c), and 10%Cu₂O/N,S-BiOBr (d), and HRTEM images of 10%Cu₂O/N,S-BiOBr (e, f)

Fig.4 UV-Vis DRS characterization of Cu₂O/N,S-BiOBr, N,S-BiOBr and Cu₂O (a), and band gap diagrams of Cu₂O and N,S-BiOBr (b)

Fig.5 Mott-Schottky plots of Cu₂O (a) and N,S-BiOBr (b)

Fig.6 Photocurrent analysis (a) and EIS (b) of Cu₂O/N,S-BiOBr, N,S-BiOBr, and Cu₂O

Fig.7 XPS spectrum of 10%Cu₂O/N,S-BiOBr composite (a), and high-resolution XPS of Bi 4f (b), N 1s (c), Br 3d (d), O 1s (e), Cu 2p (f), and S 2p (g)

Fig.8 Photocatalytic performance curves of N,S-BiOBr, Cu₂O and Cu₂O/N,S-BiOBr photocatalysts

Table 1 Comparison of photocatalytic performance of TC degradation over BiOBr-based photocatalysts

Fig.9 EPR signals of DMPO-·OH (a) and DMPO-·O $2 -$ (b) over 10%Cu₂O/N,S-BiOBr

Fig.10 Active species trapping experiments with 10% Cu₂O/N,S-BiOBr composite under visible light irradiation (IPA: Isopropyl alcohol)

Fig.11 Photocatalytic mechanism of the TC degradation over Cu₂O/N,S-BiOBr under visible light

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