One-step co-precipitation method to construct black phosphorus nanosheets/ZnO nanohybrid for enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity

Black phosphorus nanosheets (BPNs) and ZnO nanohybrid was synthesized by a simple one-step co-precipitation method. This BPNs-ZnO nanohybrid exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity under visible light than the bulk black phosphorus (BP), BPNs and ZnO during the process of degrading methylene blue (MB) and ciprofloxacin (CIP). The enhanced photocurrent response, the smaller arc radius in EIS plots and the decreased PL emission of BPNs-ZnO nanohybrid indicated that the recombination of electrons and holes in the composite were suppressed. In addition, the increase of light absorption, the suitable bandgap configuration and the relatively large specific surface area of BPNs-ZnO nanohybrid were proved to boost the photoactivity. The radical trapping experiment revealed that h⁺ and ·O₂⁻ were the main active species.