Construction and mechanism insights of a novel all-solid-state Z-scheme Mo2C/C/BiOI heterojunction for boosted photocatalytic degradation and reduction efficiency

Abstract

Interfacial configuration of heterostructured photocatalysts to boost photocarrier separation and transfer is immensely beneficial to acquire great photocatalytic efficiency. Herein, a well-structured Mo2C/C/BiOI heterostructure containing different weight ratios Mo2C instead of noble metal was successfully prepared, where the inter-modified carbon nanosheets subserve as a connective to generate a perfect interface contact between Mo2C and BiOI. The photocatalytic performances of the photocatalysts were appraised by the degradation of indigo carmine and reduction of 4-nitroaniline under visible-light elucidation. The nanocomposite containing 7 % by weight of Mo2C/C showed the highest photocatalytic efficiency by eliminating 99.4 % of indigo carmine and 99.8 % of 4-nitroaniline within 75 min and 13 min, respectively. The boosted photocatalytic activity is attributed to the synergistic interaction between Mo2C/C and BiOI and the all-solid-state Z mechanism, where conductive carbon nanoparticles as an efficient electron mediator enable rapid photocarrier transfer and separation between Mo2C and BiOI. This study accentuates that Mo2C/C-based all-solid-state Z-scheme heterojunction nanocomposites are hopeful candidate photocatalysts for environmental applications.