Synthesis of novel Fe doped MoS₂/BiVO₄ magnetic composite for enhanced photocatalytic and antimicrobial activity

Here we report, the synthesis of a novel Fe doped MoS₂/BiVO₄ (Fe@MoS₂/BiVO₄) magnetic heterostructure composites by sonication-assisted hydrothermal method. The as-prepared composites were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDX, FTIR, XPS, BET, PL, and EPR techniques for crystal structures, morphology, surficial chemical properties, photocatalysis and antimicrobial properties. For photocatalysis, Fe@MoS₂/BiVO₄ p-n heterojunction was applied against methylene blue dye in the visible light range and superior degradation was achieved. The photocatalytic degradation and involved mechanism were also confirmed by the scavenger and total organic test (TOC). The incorporation of composite materials was realized to reduce the bandgap energy and this reduction may facilitate the ability to absorb more energy in the visible light spectrum. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of Fe@MoS₂/BiVO₄ could be attributed to a large carrier lifetime, appropriate energy bandgap that is built in by p-n heterojunction of MoS₂ and BiVO₄ inhibited the recombination of charge-carriers owed to the synergistic effect of Fe@MoS₂/BiVO₄. The antimicrobial investigation of 1 wt% Fe@MoS₂/BiVO₄ was studied against Escherichia coli (E. coli), and it exhibited well antimicrobial response. Based on these findings, the photocatalytic mechanism, the p-n junction formation mechanism of Fe-doped MoS₂/BiVO₄, and possible antimicrobial mechanisms are proposed.