Rational Construction of MnCo2O4.5 Deposited TiO2 Nanotube Array Heterostructures with Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline

A novel type of heterostructured photocatalyst, MnCo2O4.5 deposited TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNAs), was successfully synthesized via a two-step anodization and chemical bath deposition method. The decoration of MnCo2O4.5 nanoparticles on anatase TNAs significantly enhances its photocatalytic degradation activity of tetracycline (TC). The optimized 140MnCo(2)O(4.5)/TiO2 nanotube arrays (140 M/TNA) catalyst exhibited the highest photocatalytic degradation of TC with an efficiency of 93.1 % after 2 h illumination. Meanwhile, the material showed good stability after a 5 cycle test. The mechanism of increased activity is attributed to the MnCo2O4.5/TiO2 heterostructure, which extends the response range to visible light and promotes electron-hole separation. Further radical capture experiment reveals that O-.(2)- is vital as an active species for degrading TC in this system. The photocatalyst obtained via this rational synthesis strategy can effectively remove organic pollutants from waste water under visible light irradiation.