Coral like g-C3N4/Br-Bi2O2CO3 type-II heterojunction with efficient photocatalytic performance and mechanism for degradation of tetracycline

• Published in: Solid state sciences 2025-02, Vol.160, p.107765, Article 107765
• Main Authors: Lu, Bowen, Wang, Ling, Zhu, Xiaoya, Gu, Qinyi, Feng, Chujun, Rong, Jian, Li, Zhongyu, Xu, Song
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Coral-like g-C3N4; G-C3N4/Br-Bi2O2CO3 composite; Photocatalytic degradation; Type-II heterojunction
• ISSN: 1293-2558
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107765

Photocatalytic technology is an effective strategy to address the proliferation of antibiotics. In this study, a coral-like g-C3N4/Br-Bi2O2CO3 (C-CN/Br-BOC) photocatalyst with a type-Ⅱ heterojunction was constructed for efficient degradation of tetracycline (TC). The as-prepared C-CN/Br-BOC composites showed excellent photocatalytic performance for degradation of tetracycline. The degradation efficiency of 0.7C-CN/Br-BOC photocatalyst reached 94.2 % within 120 min, and the catalytic performance and crystal structure remained stable after 5 cycles. The enhancement of photocatalytic activity can be attributed to the formation of type-II heterojunction and the successful doping of Br elements, which significantly improves the separation ability and electron mobility of the electron-hole pairs produced by photons. In addition, the photocatalytic mechanism of C-CN/Br-BOC heterojunction and degradation pathways of TC are also proposed. [Display omitted] •Coral like g-C3N4/Br-Bi2O2CO3 type-II heterojunction is successfully constructed.•g-C3N4/Br-Bi2O2CO3 composite shows excellent photocatalytic degradation activity.•Type-II heterojunction improves electron utilization efficiency of the photocatalyst.•Photocatalytic degradation mechanism for g-C3N4/Br-Bi2O2CO3 composite is proposed.