0D boron carbon nitride quantum dots decorated 2D Bi4O5I2 as 0D/2D efficient visible-light-driven photocatalysts for tetracyclines photodegradation

A series of 0D boron carbon nitride quantum dots (BCNQDs) modified 2D Bi4O5I2 (0D/2D Bi4O5I2/BCNQDs) composites were synthesized and applied to photodegradation of tetracyclines (TCs), including tetracycline (TC) and oxytetracycline (OTC). The Bi4O5I2/BCNQDs (1) (1 mL BCNQDs) composite exhibits the highest photo catalytic performance for TCs degradation. The degradation rate constants of TC and OTC by the optimal sample were 4.95 and 2.17 times that of Bi4O5I2, respectively. This can be attributed to the fact that the narrow bandgap Bi4O5I2 is the electron acceptor, and the oxygen-containing functional group with the negative charge on BCNQDs can promote the formation of photoexcited holes, which makes the effective separation of photoexcited carriers easier. Furthermore, the active substance (h(+) and .O2-) is the major active substance for TCs photo degradation. On this basis, the possible photocatalytic reaction mechanism of Bi4O5I2/BCNQDs (1) composite is proposed. This study provides a new idea for 0D/2D interface engineering of BCNQDs heterojunction.

Automated summary

In this study, a series of 0D boron carbon nitride quantum dots (BCNQDs) modified 2D Bi4O5I2 (0D/2D Bi4O5I2/BCNQDs) composites were synthesized and applied to photodegradation of tetracyclines (TCs), including tetracycline (TC) and oxytetracycline (OTC). The optimal composite Bi4O5I2/BCNQDs (1 mL BCNQDs) exhibited the highest photocatalytic performance, with degradation rate constants for TC and OTC being 4.95 and 2.17 times higher than that of Bi4O5I2, respectively. This can be attributed to the narrow bandgap property of Bi4O5I2 as an electron acceptor, and the oxygen-containing functional group with negative charge on BCNQDs promoting the formation of photoexcited holes for effective carrier separation.