In-situ assembling novel N-TiC/BiOClBr composites with enhanced photocatalytic degradation and nitrogen reduction activity.

Herein, a collection of novel N-TiC/BiOClBr composites are fabricated via a simple in-situ sonochemical process. Not only the preparation method for N-TiC but also the photocatalytic system of N-TiC/BiOClBr are firstly developed. Multiple characterizations jointly demonstrate the successful fabrication of the composites. Compared to that of BiOClBr, the maximum improvements of 1.16, 1.25 and 1.26 folds are severally confirmed for the photocatalytic degradation of levofloxacin, Rhodamine B, and methylene blue over N-TiC/BiOClBr composites. In addition, through radicals trapping tests, the primary active species in photocatalytic degradation process are verified to be O. Moreover, N-TiC/BiOClBr composites also exhibit 1.18 and 1.14 times enhancements for NH production compared with that of BiOClBr with or without the presence of methanol, respectively. In addition, the maximum improvements of photo-current and photo-potential for BiOClBr are 1.29 and 1.86 folds with the introduction of N-TiC, respectively. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of N-TiC/BiOClBr composites is owing to the heightened light absorption, increased specific surface area, and accelerated separation of photoinduced carriers. Additionally, the stable photocatalytic properties of N-TiC/BiOClBr are confirmed by three photocatalytic recycle tests on pollutant degradation and nitrogen reduction combined with X-ray diffraction patterns before and after three recycles. This study suggests that N-TiC is an efficient ornamentation for boosting photocatalytic activity ofBiOClBr, which can also be expanded as a promising modifier for other semiconductors.