Enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity of bismuth oxide via the decoration of titanium carbide quantum dots.

[Display omitted] In Ti 3 C 2 quantum dots (Ti 3 C 2 QDs)/Bi 2 O 3 photocatalysts system, Ti 3 C 2 QDs can act as a co-catalyst to greatly boost the photocatalytic performance of Bi 2 O 3. Ti 3 C 2 QDs with excellent light adsorption ability can improve the light response of the system, and the fascinating electronic property can function as a channel for electron transfer. Moreover, Ti 3 C 2 QDs possess larger specific area and more active edge atoms thanks to the size effect. The best Ti 3 C 2 QDs/Bi 2 O 3 composite with the loading amounts of 75 mL of Ti 3 C 2 QDs solution showed much higher photocatalytic performance (nearly 5.85 times) for tetracycline (TC) degradation than that of pristine Bi 2 O 3 under visible light irradiation. These different photocatalytic performances shed light on the key role of Ti 3 C 2 QDs in stimulating the photocatalytic activity of Bi 2 O 3. Moreover, Ti 3 C 2 QDs/Bi 2 O 3 composites exhibited excellent stability in recycling experiments and actual water sample treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]