Visible light driven CuBi2O4 heterostructures and their enhanced photocatalytic activity for pollutant degradation: A review

• Published in: Journal of water process engineering Vol. 66; p. 105890
• Main Authors: Olatunde, Olalekan C., Sawunyama, Lawrence, Yusuf, Tunde L., Onwudiwe, Damian C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2024
• Subjects: CuBi2O4 heterostructures; Mechanism; Photocatalytic degradation; Synthetic methods; Photocatalytic degradation; Synthetic methods; CuBi2O4 heterostructures; Mechanism
• ISSN: 2214-7144; 2214-7144
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2024.105890

The existence of organic, inorganic, and microbiological contaminants in water bodies continues to pose a serious threat to public health worldwide. The photocatalytic elimination of these contaminants using copper bismuthate (CuBi2O4) heterostructures has been the subject of numerous studies. CuBi2O4 heterostructures have demonstrated their effectiveness as a photocatalyst because of their longer charge carrier lifespan, enhanced capacity to absorb solar light, and greater charge carrier separation. The various techniques for fabricating CuBi2O4 heterostructures such as hydrothermal, sol-gel, solid state, solvothermal, electrospinning, spray pyrolysis, and electrodeposition are extensively discussed in this review paper. A wide range of CuBi2O4 heterostructures and their different mechanisms of action are also covered. The photocatalytic degradation of pollutants by copper bismuthate (CuBi2O4) heterostructures is also presented in detail. Furthermore, a thorough critical discussion is included about the prospects and difficulties of using CuBi2O4 heterostructures for the photocatalytic purification of wastewater. [Display omitted] •Water pollution remains a critical global issue requiring urgent action.•Semiconductor-based photocatalytic processes offer a suitable technique for wastewater treatment.•CuBi2O4, a new semiconductor, shows great promise as a photocatalyst due to its distinct electronic and optical traits•Creating heterojunctions with other semiconductors can boost CuBi2O4's photocatalytic efficiency.•The charge transfer mechanism in the heterostructures can follow either, the Z-scheme, S-scheme, or type II mechanism.