N-doped graphene quantum dot-decorated N-TiO2/P-doped porous hollow g-C3N4 nanotube composite photocatalysts for antibiotic photodegradation and H2 production

Abstract

Exclusive responsiveness to ultraviolet light (∼3.2 eV) and high photogenerated charge recombination rate are the two primary drawbacks of pure TiO₂. We combined N-doped graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs), morphology regulation, and heterojunction construction strategies to synthesize N-GQD/N-doped TiO₂/P-doped porous hollow g-C₃N₄ nanotube (PCN) composite photocatalysts (denoted as G-TPCN). The optimal sample (G-TPCN doped with 0.1wt% N-GQD, denoted as 0.1%G-TPCN) exhibits significantly enhanced photoabsorption, which is attributed to the change in bandgap caused by elemental doping (P and N), the improved light-harvesting resulting from the tube structure, and the upconversion effect of N-GQDs. In addition, the internal charge separation and transfer capability of 0.1%G-TPCN are dramatically boosted, and its carrier concentration is 3.7, 2.3, and 1.9 times that of N-TiO₂, PCN, and N-TiO₂/PCN (TPCN-1), respectively. This phenomenon is attributed to the formation of Z-scheme heterojunction between N-TiO₂ and PCNs, the excellent electron conduction ability of N-GQDs, and the short transfer distance caused by the porous nanotube structure. Compared with those of N-TiO₂, PCNs, and TPCN-1, the H₂ production activity of 0.1%G-TPCN under visible light is enhanced by 12.4, 2.3, and 1.4 times, respectively, and its ciprofloxacin (CIP) degradation rate is increased by 7.9, 5.7, and 2.9 times, respectively. The optimized performance benefits from excellent photoresponsiveness and improved carrier separation and migration efficiencies. Finally, the photocatalytic mechanism of 0.1%G-TPCN and five possible degradation pathways of CIP are proposed. This study clarifies the mechanism of multiple modification strategies to synergistically improve the photocatalytic performance of 0.1%G-TPCN and provides a potential strategy for rationally designing novel photocatalysts for environmental remediation and solar energy conversion.