A novel Ti3C2 MXene/PDI supramolecules composite with enhanced photocatalytic activities for degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride under visible-light. Issue 3 (June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Wenlu; Chen, Hui; Liu, Yutang; Cai, Tao; Dong, Wanyue; Xia, Xinnian
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental chemical engineering. Volume 10:Issue 3(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Subjects: Ti3C2 MXene -- PDI -- Photocatalysis -- Degradation; Chemical engineering -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering -- Environmental aspects; Environmental engineering; Periodicals; 660.0286
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2022.107978
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-2929

Abstract

Abstract: Ti3 C2 MXene/Perylene diimide supramolecules (Ti3 C2 /PDIsm) heterojunction photocatalyst was synthesized by in-situ self-assembly strategy. Under visible light, all Ti3 C2 /PDIsm with different ratio exhibited higher photocatalytic activity and stability than pure PDIsm. Among them, composite with Ti3 C2 proportion of 15 wt% had the highest degradation rate of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC-H), which was 65.3 % higher than pure PDIsm. The characterization results showed that the improved photocatalytic performance was due to the formation of Schottky junction between PDIsm and Ti3 C2, which caused the excited electrons in PDIsm to transfer to Ti3 C2, thereby improving the electron-hole pair separation and enhancing the electron mobility. In addition, Ti3 C2 also enhanced the light absorption of PDIsm and reduced the band gap energy from 1.64 eV to 1.56 eV. Trapping experiments revealed that ·O2 - played a major role in the degradation process of TC-H. All in all, Ti3 C2 improved the degradation rate of TC-H by acting as a co-catalyst in the Ti3 C2 /PDIsm photocatalytic system, and this work provided a reference for the development of novel Schottky junction photocatalysts. Graphical Abstract: A Schottky junction is formed at the contact interface between Ti3 C2 MXene and PDI supramolecules. The electrons in the conduction band of PDIsm are transferred to Ti3 C2 under the action of the built-in electric field, which promotes the migration and separation of photo-generated carriers and reduces the recombination of electrons and holes. ga1 Highlights: Ti3 C2 MXene/PDIsm composite was synthesized by an in-situ self-assembly strategy. Ti3 C2 MXene/PDIsm composite exhibits higher photocatalytic activity. Electrons transfer from PDIsm to Ti3 C2 MXene under the action of the built-in electric field of Schottky junction. The main active substance is ·O2 - during the degradation process of tetracycline hydrochloride.