Two-Dimensional Silver-Metalated Graphdiyne Nanosheets for Photocatalytic Degradation of Antibiotics

The two-dimensional layered carbon allotrope graphdiyne (GDY) is formed by combining hybridized sp-sp2 carbon atoms. This alkynyl-bonded 2D carbon network with tunable energy levels and high carrier-mobility has excellent potential in solar energy utilization. However, the standard but complex synthesis method of GDYs by epitaxial growth on a metal-crystal surface and the poor activity of metal-free materials limit applications beyond the lab. Here, we produce a silver-metalated GDY (Ag-GDY) through a facile and scalable wet-chemistry strategy, featured by an appropriate band gap at 2.61 eV and good e-/h+ separation ability. These unique characteristics facilitate the reaction between Ag-GDY and oxygen to form a variety of active free radicals. The Ag-GDY photocatalyst displays an excellent ability for the light-driven decomposition of antibiotics. Tetracycline with a concentration as low as 5.0 x 10-5 M is degraded within 30 min by Ag-GDY, showing excellent performance stability of up to five reuse cycles.

Automated summary

The two-dimensional layered carbon allotrope graphdiyne (GDY) is a promising material for solar energy utilization. However, the complex synthesis method and limited activity of metal-free materials hinder its practical applications. In this study, a silver-metalated GDY (Ag-GDY) photocatalyst was successfully synthesized using a facile and scalable wet-chemistry strategy. Ag-GDY exhibited excellent performance in the light-driven decomposition of antibiotics.