Bi3TaO7/Ti3C2 heterojunctions for enhanced photocatalytic removal of water-borne contaminants

Novel catalysts are of great interest for improved photocatalytic environmental remediation. Using a hydrothermal method, 0D/2D Bi3TaO7/Ti3C2 heterojunctions were designed rationally and characterized systematically as excellent photocatalysts for photocatalytic degradation. The hybrid catalyst exhibits superior performance in visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (about 99% degradation efficiency after 2 h) and excellent stability (up to 10 cycles) under visible light irradiation (300 W Xe lamp; lambda > 420 nm; light intensity 150 mW cm(-2)). In addition, Bi3TaO7/Ti3C2 has a larger rate constant (0.032 min(-1)) than pristine Bi3TaO7 (0.006 min(-1)). Quantum yield (2.27 x 10(-5) molecules/photon) and figure of merit (23.3) of the system were obtained, suggesting that our catalyst has potential for application. Both experimental and computational results indicate that synergistic effects between Bi3TaO7 and Ti3C2 improve photocatalytic performance by enhancing electron-hole pair separation, electronic transmission efficiency, and interfacial charge transfer. These findings contribute to the synthesis of efficient visible-light-driven Bi-based photocatalysts and to the understanding of photocatalytic degradation reactions.