In-situ assembling novel N-Ti3C2/BiOClxBr1−x composites with enhanced photocatalytic degradation and nitrogen reduction activity

Abstract

Herein, a collection of novel N-Ti3C2/BiOClxBr1−x composites are fabricated via a simple in-situ sonochemical process. Not only the preparation method for N-Ti3C2 but also the photocatalytic system of N-Ti3C2/BiOClxBr1−x are firstly developed. Multiple characterizations jointly demonstrate the successful fabrication of the composites. Compared to that of BiOClxBr1−x, the maximum improvements of 1.16, 1.25 and 1.26 folds are severally confirmed for the photocatalytic degradation of levofloxacin, Rhodamine B, and methylene blue over N-Ti3C2/BiOClxBr1−x composites. In addition, through radicals trapping tests, the primary active species in photocatalytic degradation process are verified to be O2−. Moreover, N-Ti3C2/BiOClxBr1−x composites also exhibit 1.18 and 1.14 times enhancements for NH3 production compared with that of BiOClxBr1−x with or without the presence of methanol, respectively. In addition, the maximum improvements of photo-current and photo-potential for BiOClxBr1−x are 1.29 and 1.86 folds with the introduction of N-Ti3C2, respectively. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of N-Ti3C2/BiOClxBr1−x composites is owing to the heightened light absorption, increased specific surface area, and accelerated separation of photoinduced carriers. Additionally, the stable photocatalytic properties of N-Ti3C2/BiOClxBr1−x are confirmed by three photocatalytic recycle tests on pollutant degradation and nitrogen reduction combined with X-ray diffraction patterns before and after three recycles. This study suggests that N-Ti3C2 is an efficient ornamentation for boosting photocatalytic activity ofBiOClxBr1−x, which can also be expanded as a promising modifier for other semiconductors.