Constructing 2D layered PCN/Ti3C2/Bi2MoO6 heterojunction with MXene as charge mediator for enhanced photocatalytic performance

In this article, a novel 2D/2D/2D PCN(protonated g-C3N4)/Ti3C2/Bi2MoO6 ternary Z-scheme heterojunction was successfully prepared through hydrothermal method and electrostatic self-assembly method. The photocatalytic performance of the ternary 2D/2D/2D PCN/Ti3C2/Bi2MoO6 composites was evaluated by photo-degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC-HCL) aqueous solution under visible light irradiation (. > 420 nm). Compared with Bi2MoO6, PCN, Ti3C2/Bi2MoO6 and 5% PCN/Bi2MoO6, 5% PCN/Ti3C2/Bi2MoO6 composites exhibited higher photocatalytic activity. The degradation ratio of tetracycline hydrochloride aqueous solution reached 81.3%. The enhanced photocatalytic performance benefits from the 2D layered structure of surface-to-surface contact, which not only shortens the charge transfer distance, but also provides a large number of channels for charge transfer. A Z-scheme charge transfer mechanism was proposed, in which Ti3C2 acted as an electron transfer mediator to accelerate the transfer of photogenerated electrons between Bi2MoO6 and PCN. The possible photocatalytic mechanism was proposed based on the trapping experiment and band alignment of the composite.

Automated summary

In this article, a novel 2D/2D/2D PCN/Ti3C2/Bi2MoO6 ternary Z-scheme heterojunction was successfully prepared and its photocatalytic performance was evaluated. The 5% PCN/Ti3C2/Bi2MoO6 composites exhibited higher photocatalytic activity, with a degradation ratio of 81.3%. A Z-scheme charge transfer mechanism was proposed to explain the enhanced photocatalytic performance.