Visible-light-driven CQDs@MIL-125(Ti) nanocomposite photocatalyst with enhanced photocatalytic activity for the degradation of tetracycline

In the present study, a novel photocatalyst, CQDs@MIL-125(Ti) (CQDs = carbon quantum dots), was prepared via a solvothermal procedure. The photocatalytic properties were tested by the degradation of tetracycline (TC) with a 250 W Xe lamp (λ > 420 nm). Compared with pure MIL-125(Ti), the 10 wt% CQDs@MIL-125(Ti) photocatalyst can significantly improve the degradation process of TC, and the degradation efficiency can reach 90% within 4 h. The enhancement in the photocatalytic performance is due to the CQDs, which can promote the absorption of visible light and also efficiently accelerate the separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs. We have also demonstrated that superoxide radicals (·O(2)(−)) and holes (h(+)) play crucial roles in the photocatalytic degradation of TC through capture experiments. The current work provides a new idea for constructing high-efficiency photocatalysts based on MIL-125(Ti).