Enhancing the Charge Carrier Transfer of ZnFe2O4/C/TiO2 Hollow Nanosphere Photocatalyst via Contact Interface Engineering

The charge transfer route for photocatalyst-based hybridization is determined by interfacial energy band alignment. Herein, we designed and synthesized novel ZnFe2O4/C/TiO2 hollow photocatalysts, in which carbon was introduced into the contact interface between ZnFe2O4 and TiO2. Experimental results reveal that carbon enhances the electrical conductivity at the interfacial contact, improving the separation efficiency of photogenerated electrons. ZnFe2O4/C/TiO2 catalyst shows superior activity for degradation of tetracycline (TC) and excellent stability with the irradiation of visible light. Furthermore, the photodegradation mechanism was studied in detail and the results revealed that O-center dot(2)- and (OH)-O-center dot were produced during the photocatalytic degradation reaction. This work grants an effective approach for preparing heterojunction photocatalysts via improving the conductivity of the contact interface.

Automated summary

The study introduced carbon into the contact interface between ZnFe2O4 and TiO2 to enhance electrical conductivity and improve the separation efficiency of photogenerated electrons. This resulted in improved catalytic activity for tetracycline (TC) degradation and stability under visible light irradiation. The research provides an effective strategy for preparing heterojunction photocatalysts by enhancing the conductivity of the contact interface.