LAUSR

Abstract Photocatalytic performance of four tetracycline antibiotics using BiVO 4 /TiO 2 /RGO composites was investigated. To make full use of catalysis, optimum preparation conditions involved RGO content, solution pH and hydrothermal temperature on the structure forming of BiVO 4 /TiO 2 /RGO composites were investigated. Subsequently, the obtained visible light-driven photocatalyst was used to degrade four kinds of tetracycline antibiotics involved tetracycline (TC), chlortetracycline (CTC), oxytetracycline (OTC) and doxycycline (DXC) for wastewater treatment. Results showed that BiVO 4 /TiO 2 /RGO photocatalyst exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity and high compatibility due to the enhanced separation efficiency of photo-generated carriers with high reduction and oxidation capability. The degradation process of four kinds of tetracycline antibiotics was traced and detected through identifying intermediates produced in the reaction system. And a possible catalytic mechanism for BiVO 4 /TiO 2 /RGO photocatalyst was put forward based on band gap structure of BiVO 4 and TiO 2 .