Decorating 2D Ti3C2 on flower-like hierarchical Bi2WO6 for the 2D/2D heterojunction construction towards photodegradation of tetracycline antibiotics

Abstract

Constructing 2D/2D heterojunction in traditional metal oxide photocatalyst is considered to be a practical strategy for boosting visible light-driven photocatalytic activity remarkably. This work fabricated 2D/2D heterojunction by decorating 2D Ti3C2 on nanosheet units in 3D flower-like Bi2WO6 hierarchical structure and significantly improved efficiency of photocatalysis degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC-HCl) as a model antibiotic. It is possible to contribute to the constructed interfacial connection between [Bi2O2]2+ layer and Ti3C2 as well as the resulting electron dislocation of Bi-O bonds, which extended light harvesting range, improved photo-generated holes oxidation and accelerated charge transfer. The best rate constant degradation of TC-HCl and TOC removal efficiency were achieved on 3 %-Ti3C2/Bi2WO6 sample, which were 7 times and 3.5 times that of original Bi2WO6 sample. To gain more insight details about photocatalytic process, reactive species were also investigated and a logical mechanism of TC-HCl degradation was presented. This work demonstrated an intriguing exploration strategy of photo-degradation catalyst and was expected to promote the environmental application of solar-driven antibiotics degradation technology.