Facile synthesis of Bi2WO6/C3N4/Ti3C2 composite as Z-scheme photocatalyst for efficient ciprofloxacin degradation and H2 production

TLDR: In this paper, a ternary photocatalyst was synthesized through a one-step hydrothermal method, which exhibited remarkable CIP photodegradation activity with an apparent rate constant of 0.058 min−1 (4.78 times the rate of Bi2WO6), and the photocatalytic H2 production rate reached 54.4 μmol/g/h.

Abstract: In this study, a novel 2D/2D/2D Bi2WO6/C3N4/Ti3C2 composite photocatalyst is synthesized through a one-step hydrothermal method. The ternary photocatalyst exhibits remarkable CIP photodegradation activity with an apparent rate constant of 0.058 min−1 (4.78 times the rate of Bi2WO6), and the photocatalytic H2 production rate reaches 54.4 μmol/g/h. The H2 evolution with simultaneous CIP degradation can also be achieved via prepared ternary catalyst, with H2 production rate of 37.8 μmol/g/h. The well-matched band structure favors the formation of Z-scheme heterojunction, which is affirmed by the ESR and radicals scavenger testing results. The mechanism and driving force of suggested Z-scheme heterojunction is discussed based on the investigation of charge effective mass and surface electrostatic potential. Moreover, Ti3C2 co-catalysts can further facilitate charge transfer and improve redox abilities of binary Bi2WO6/C3N4 composites, leading to a faster active radicals generation rate. This work highlights the prospective role of Ti3C2 in construction of Z-scheme photocatalysts.