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Black TiO2 and metal–organic frameworks (MOF) are great materials with light-harvesting ability, redox power and consequently catalytic activity. Here, the integration of MIL-100(Fe) with TiO2(B) composite was designed for photocatalytic application, which greatly promoted light-harvesting and charge transfer. As expected, the integrated TiO2(B)/MIL-100(Fe) composite showed high photocatalytic activity due to unique Fe–O–Ti bonds that were constructed, which acted as an electronic tunnel to reduce electronic transfer resistance between MIL-100(Fe) and TiO2(B). In addition, the presence of Fe–O clusters in MIL-100(Fe) can also promote the charge dissociation and improve catalytic activity via the Fe3+/Fe2+ redox cycle. This achievement would help us to understand and design charge transfer pathways in the integration of MOF/semiconductor photocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring semiconductor-based photocatalysis toward reaching solar energy conversion was an ideal strategy. Here, Ni(OH) 2 was used an effective co-catalyst instead of noble metal to construct a novel two dimensional 2D/2D Ni(OH) 2 /Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 composites with interfacial interaction between Ni(OH) 2 and Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12. The layer Ni(OH) 2 /Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 composites showed higher photocatalytic activity as compared to pure samples, which was attributed to the interfacial interaction to promote the electron-holes separation. Thus, this work provided a novel insight into design 2D/2D nanocomposites and proved Ni(OH) 2 could excellently act as the effective co-catalyst instead of noble metal to enhance photocatalytic activity. • An efficient co-catalyst of Ni(OH) 2 instead of noble metal to modify Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12. • A new 2D/2D layer-like Ni(OH) 2 /Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 composites were constructed. • The interfacial interaction and 2D coupling interfaces, promoting the electron-holes separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• 0D CuInS 2 enhanced the photocatalytic performance of 2D NiAl-LDH. • Large BET surface and efficient separation of photo-induced electron-hole pairs. • A band matching within the n-n junction for efficient internal charge transfer. 0D/2D interface heterostructure of 0D CuInS 2 and 2D NiAl-LDH were obtained via strong interfacial contact. Mott-Schottky analysis confirmed both materials were n-type feature. Thus, a staggered n-n heterojunction was formed via the balance of Fermi level. This 0D/2D composite exhibited enchantable activity for photocatalytic degradation 2,4-Dichlorophenol under visible-light illumination, far superior than pure CuInS 2 and NiAl-LDH. The improvement of photocatalytic performance mainly attributed to the large BET surface area and interfacial contact, which resulted in more active sites, effective charge separation and transfer. Moreover, the optimal CuInS 2 /NiAl-LDH composite showed higher photostability for cycle experiments. At the same, the possible photocatalytic reaction process was proposed based on the trapping experiments, ESR technique and band position. This work provided a theory and foundation for designing and preparing of 0D/2D heterostructure system for photocatalytic application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Carbon materials was obtained from green tea and acted as the electron transfer medium to effectively enhance photocatalytic performance. • Charge was transferred through dual paths. • The Ni 2 P and CDs were all acted as the active sites for improving the photocatalytic performance. Carbon materials can act as electron transfer media to effectively enhance photocatalytic performance. In this study, carbon dots (CDs) were prepared using green tea to modify Ni 2 P/NiCo-LDH heterostructures. Benefitting from the Co-P bond formed between Ni 2 P and NiCo-LDH and biomass CDs, charge transfer was improved via dual channel. Ni 2 P and CDs acted as active sites for improving the photocatalytic performance. Owing to the synergistic process, the photoresponse capability of CDs/Ni 2 P/NiCo-LDH was significantly increased. In addition, the possible active species in the photocatalytic process are discussed. This study provides a design for ternary photocatalysts with carbon materials and phosphides. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of novel non-precious-metal-based composite photocatalysts was developed using layered double hydroxide (NiCo-LDH) and transition metal phosphide (Ni 2 P) to explore the performance of high-efficiency photocatalytic composite materials containing no precious metals. The developed Ni 2 P/NiCo-LDH composites displayed an enhanced photocatalytic performance under visible-light illumination. Further researches confirmed that a unique Co–P bond, which led to an increased light absorption, was formed in the composites. Importantly, this unique Co–P bond reduced the interface transfer resistance of the Ni 2 P/NiCo-LDH composites, enhanced their charge separation efficiency, and formed a rapid charge transport channel between Ni 2 P and NiCo-LDH in the composites to provide improved photocatalytic activity. Additionally, a mechanism was proposed for the further exploration of non-precious metal-based composites. The study provides novel insight into the research on the use of non-precious metal materials and NiCo-LDH in the field of photocatalysis. Image 1 • The Ni 2 P/NiCo-LDH is a composite photocatalyst containing no precious metals. • The Co–P bond accelerated the separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers as a charge transfer channel. • Proposed a possible charge transport mechanism for degradation of tetracycline under visible light. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]