2D/2D Schottky-type hybrid heterocatalyst comprising S-doped g-C3N4 and delaminated Ti3C2 MXene: Synergistic interplay of dual strategies for effective H2 generation and pollutant degradation

The quest for sustainable solutions to environmental pollution and energy scarcity has prompted the exploration of advanced photocatalytic materials. This study introduces an efficient 2D/2D Schottky-type hybrid heterocatalyst that combines sulfur-doped 2D g-C3N4 (SCN) with delaminated 2D Ti3C2 (TC) MXene, designed for effective H2 generation and antibiotic pollutant degradation under visible light. This hybrid system leverages the synergistic interplay of two strategies: electronic band structure engineering and conductive TC MXene cocatalyst integration, addressing the critical limitations inherent in g-C3N4. The TC-4/SCN hybrid, with its optimized TC content, exhibits exceptional photocatalytic performance, achieving an H2 production yield of 79.5 mu mol over 5 h and an apparent quantum efficiency of 9.2 %. Moreover, this hybrid demonstrates significant effectiveness in degrading and mineralizing the antibiotic levofloxacin, surpassing g-C3N4, SCN, other TC/SCN hybrids, and several advanced photocatalysts previously reported. Detailed characterization and mechanistic investigations attribute the outstanding photocatalytic activity to efficient charge transfer, separation, reduced recombination rates, strong optical absorption, and a large specific surface area, all of which are facilitated by the dual strategies employed in creating the 2D/2D Schottky-type heterojunction. Furthermore, reusability tests confirmed the durability and stability of the TC-4/SCN, highlighting its practical applicability for repeated use in environmental and energy applications.