New Materials, Compounds and Applications

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.