One-step oxygen vacancy engineering of WO3-x/2D g-C3N4 heterostructure: Triple effects for sustaining photoactivity.

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4) is a promising photocatalyst for photocatalytic field, but how to construct an efficient g-C 3 N 4 nanosheet-based heterostructure is still a challenge by one-step method. In this study, we prepared WO 3-x /2D g-C 3 N 4 heterostructure by one-step calcination approach, which simultaneously produced g-C 3 N 4 nanosheet, heterostructure and oxygen vacancy. The photoactivity of WO 3-x /2D g-C 3 N 4 heterostructure was tested by removing Rhodamine B (RhB), tetracycline (TC) and S. aureus under LED light illumination. The enhanced photoactivity is attributed to the promoted transfer of charge carriers, the broadened light absorption and the increased surface area of composite, which arose from heterostructure, oxygen vacancy and g-C 3 N 4 nanosheet, respectively. This study offers insights into one-step preparation for new photocatalysts in environmental field. • WO 3-x /2D g-C 3 N 4 heterostructure was prepared by one-step calcination. • WO 3-x /2D g-C 3 N 4 can remove RhB, TC and S. aureus under a LED light. • Oxygen vacancy, 2D g-C 3 N 4 and heterostructure are beneficial for the photoactivity. • Oxygen vacancy assisted Z-scheme mechanism was presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]