0D Titanium Dioxide and 2D Carbon Nitride Heterojunction for Enhanced Tetracycline Degradation

The construction of binary heterostructures is an effective strategy to enhance photocatalytic efficiency.In this study, a type-II TiO2/g-C3N4 heterostructure was synthesized via a solvothermal method, with 0D TiO2 nanoparticles uniformly dispersed on 2D g-C3N4 nanosheets.The optimal TiO2 to g-C3N4 ratio (5:1) achieved superior tetracycline (TC) degradation.Characterization using XRD, FESEM, BET, UV-DRS and EIS revealed improved light absorption, enhanced charge separation and strong interfacial interactions.Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirmed suppressed charge recombination and prolonged carrier lifetimes.The heterostructure retained 85.47% of its photocatalytic activity after four cycles, demonstrating excellent stability.Mechanistic studies identified holes (h + ) and superoxide radicals (O2 -) as key reactive species, confirming a type-II heterojunction that facilitated charge transfer.The results demonstrated the role of g-C3N4 in modulating TiO2 activity, highlighting the potential of TiO2/g-C3N4 heterostructures as efficient, durable photocatalysts for environmental remediation.