In the present paper, Bi24Si2O40 nanoparticles were assembled with ZnO by a simple hydrothermal procedure at 150 ºC for 24 h. The resultant binary ZnO/Bi24Si2O40 nanocomposites were employed for detoxification of emerging pollutants including tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH), metronidazole (MET), cephalexin (CPX), and fuchsine (FS). The degradation rate constant of TCH, MET, CPX, and FS over the ZnO/Bi24Si2O40 (30 %) nanocomposite, as an optimum photocatalyst, was 14.1, 2.25, 2.29, and 1.72 times better compared to ZnO, respectively. Furthermore, the activity of the optimal photocatalyst for TCH, MET, CPX, and FS degradation was respectively 6.34, 1.37, 1.63, and 1.36 times superior than the pristine Bi24Si2O40. Hence, the synergism of ZnO and Bi24Si2O40 components in promoting the photocatalytic activity is corroborated. The efficient charge production, segregation, and transfer were supported by DRS, PL, and EIS analyses, which confirmed the intimate heterojunction development between ZnO and Bi24Si2O40 components. According to the trapping experiments and the obtained energy levels, the n-n junction mechanism was proposed for photocatalytic removal of the contaminants over ZnO/Bi24Si2O40 nanocomposites. Finally, the biocompatibility of the treated sample was tested by growth of lentil seeds.
