2D/2D α-Fe2O3/single-layer MXene Schottky photocatalysis-PMS activation bidirectionally enhanced coupling system for environmental remediation

Photocatalytic process coupled with persulfate activation can produce a synergistic effect to release active groups, which is promising in the field of environmental remediation, but remains challenging. Herein, 2D/ 2D alpha-Fe2O3/single-layer MXene Ti3C2/Peroxymonosulfate (PMS) Schottky-scheme photocatalytic-PMS ac-tivation coupled system with bidirectional strengthening properties (significant charge separation and high PMS activation) is designed. It is found that alpha-Fe2O3/single-layer MXene Ti3C2 has excellent light absorption properties and utilization, and a Schottky junction is formed between the component interfaces, which promotes electron transfer and inhibits the recombination of photogenerated charges. The coupled PMS further promotes the charge separation of the material and achieves its own efficient activation. Impressively, alpha-Fe2O3/single-layer MXene Ti3C2/PMS exhibits ultra-high pollutant degradation activity with an apparent rate constant of 0.04613 min-1, which is 17.3 and 5.6 times higher than that of alpha-Fe2O3 and alpha-Fe2O3/PMS, respectively. It is further proved that 1O2 originating from the preferential reaction between photogenerated holes and PMS is the active group with the highest contribution. This work leads a suitable direction for designing coupled systems for environmental remediation using sustainable energy sources.(c) 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The coupling of photocatalytic process with persulfate activation can release active groups synergistically, showing great potential in environmental remediation. This study designs a 2D/2D alpha-Fe2O3/single-layer MXene Ti3C2/Peroxymonosulfate (PMS) Schottky-scheme photocatalytic-PMS activation coupled system with bidirectional strengthening properties. This system exhibits excellent pollutant degradation activity with ultra-high apparent rate constant, and it is proven that the active group with the highest contribution is 1O2 originated from the preferential reaction between photogenerated holes and PMS. This work provides a suitable direction for designing coupled systems for environmental remediation using sustainable energy sources.