Visible-light-driven CQDs@MIL-125(Ti) nanocomposite photocatalyst with enhanced photocatalytic activity for the degradation of tetracycline

Abstract

In the present study, a novel photocatalyst, CQDs@MIL-125(Ti) (CQDs = carbon quantum dots), was prepared <i>via</i> a solvothermal procedure. The photocatalytic properties were tested by the degradation of tetracycline (TC) with a 250 W Xe lamp (<i>λ</i> > 420 nm). Compared with pure MIL-125(Ti), the 10 wt% CQDs@MIL-125(Ti) photocatalyst can significantly improve the degradation process of TC, and the degradation efficiency can reach 90% within 4 h. The enhancement in the photocatalytic performance is due to the CQDs, which can promote the absorption of visible light and also efficiently accelerate the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. We have also demonstrated that superoxide radicals (·O₂ ^-) and holes (h⁺) play crucial roles in the photocatalytic degradation of TC through capture experiments. The current work provides a new idea for constructing high-efficiency photocatalysts based on MIL-125(Ti).