Synergistic degradation of tetracycline from Mo2C/MoO films mediated peroxymonosulfate activation and visible-light triggered photocatalysis

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) based on photocatalysis and peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation have shown potential in antibiotics degradation by generating series of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, construction of AOP materials with easy preparation and high reusability is still a challenge. Herein, we prepared a Mo2C/MoOx thin film through one-step chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and this film could synergistically promote PMS activation and visible-light photocatalysis due to the redox cycles of multiple Mo valence states and staggered bandgap structures of Mo-based components in the film. The generated oxygen species (mainly 1O2 radical, accompanying by other ones involving OH, SO4− and O2− radicals) could efficiently degrade the uneasily degradable antibiotics, tetracycline (TC), with a removal efficiency of 91.7 % within 60 min. Meanwhile, the film could maintain the TC degradation capability for at least 10 cycles, exhibiting promising reusability. The work could provide feasible approaches to develop easily prepared AOP thin film materials for antibiotic pollutant degradation.