Fabrication of unconventional S-scheme NiAl LDH/Ag6Si2O7 heterojunction photocatalysts: outstanding photocatalytic performance and photocatalytic mechanism for tetracycline degradation

Abstract

Tetracycline (TC) was photocatalytically degraded using a series of NiAl LDH/Ag6Si2O7 (LAS) catalysts that were manufactured by dotting Ag6Si2O7 (ASO) particles on the surface of NiAl LDH 3D nanospheres. In terms of TC degradation, LAS had the superior photocatalytic performance, and its clearance of TC was 2.85 times and 1.91 times greater than that of pure NiAl LDH and Ag6Si2O7, respectively. The separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs has been enhanced since the LAS hybrid photocatalyst has more positive sites. Additionally, it was established through the analysis of the photocatalytic mechanism that the principal active participants in the reaction were •O2- and h+. In order to recover the degradation-stage intermediates, two additional TC degradation techniques were supported by LC-MS and 3D EEM assays. Additionally, the LAS photocatalytic substance has outstanding photocatalytic productivity and stability. This study has offered a fresh perspective on how to construct S-scheme heterojunctions, providing a perfect orientation for the application of photocatalytic degradation of contaminants.