Cookies-like Ag2S/Bi4NbO8Cl heterostructures for high efficient and stable photocatalytic degradation of refractory antibiotics utilizing full-spectrum solar energy

Developing high efficient and stable photocatalysts that extend light-harvesting to near-infrared (NIR) region of solar irradiation is deemed to be critical for the optimization of solar-to-chemical energy conversion. Herein, we report a cookies-like Ag2S/Bi4NbO8Cl, for high efficient photocatalytic processing medical antibiotics waste. By delicately controlling the electrostatic interaction between Ag+ and laminar Bi4NbO8Cl substrate in alkalescent condition, Ag2S nanoparticles are well dispersed, forming a heterostructured photocatalyst. The unique design of the architecture caused photo-induced electrons on the Ag2S migrate to the (0 0 1) facet of Bi4NbO8Cl through the type-II heterojunctions, avoiding the photo-induced reduction of Ag+ to metallic Ag species, and stabilizing Ag2S photocatalysts. The impactful spatial separation of photo-induced charges in Ag2S/Bi4NbO8Cl, lead to 13.2-folds enhancement in photocatalytic decomposition towards tetracycline under NIR irradiation as compared to pristine Ag2S, achieving 4.50 × 10−3 min−1. This finding provides a facile approach to make use of full-spectrum sunlight in environmental remediation applications.