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The high concentration of antibiotics in aquatic environments is a serious environmental issue. In response, researchers have explored photocatalytic degradation as a potential solution. Through chemical vapor deposition (CVD), we synthesized copper selenide (β-Cu2−xSe) and found it an effective catalyst for degrading tetracycline hydrochloride (TC-HCl). The catalyst demonstrated an impressive degradation efficiency of approximately 98% and a reaction rate constant of 3.14 × 10−2 min−1. Its layered structure, which exposes reactive sites, contributes to excellent stability, interfacial charge transfer efficiency, and visible light absorption capacity. Our investigations confirmed that the principal active species produced by the catalyst comprises O2− radicals, which we verified through trapping experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). We also verified the TC-HCl degradation mechanism using high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Our results provide valuable insights into developing the β-Cu2−xSe catalyst using CVD and its potential applications in environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we report a simple route of synthesizing bulk layered TiS 2 via chemical vapor transport (CVT) using non-toxic inorganic precursors, followed by successful isolation of few-layered TiS 2 flakes using high-frequency-based liquid-phase exfoliation. Exfoliated TiS 2 flakes exhibit significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity towards the degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) under simulated solar light irradiation, achieving ~ 95% degradation efficiency with its reaction rate constants six times higher than that of the bulk counterpart. The underlying degradation mechanism can be attributed to the fully exposed reactive sites originating from the well-defined layered structure. Trapping experiments coupled with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements confirm the generation of electrons and hydroxyl radicals as major active species. The photodegradation pathway and intermediates of TCH were studied in-depth through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The current work provides new insight into using exfoliated TiS 2 for environmental remediation. [Display omitted] • 2D TiS 2 flakes were peeled off from bulk by high-frequency liquid exfoliation. • The exfoliated flakes showed excellent photodegradation of TCH under solar light. • The enhanced activity was due to 2D structure and semiconducting nature. • The hydroxyl radicals and electrons are the two main photoactive species. • Photocatalytic degradation pathway and TCH intermediates were studied in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]