Ti3C2 MXene modified g-C3N4 with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic performance for NO purification.

Higher photocatalytic NO removal efficiency of Ti 3 C 2 /g-C 3 N 4 composite was achieved as Ti 3 C 2 notably improves charge separation due to the formation of built-in electric fields and the more positive Fermi level (E F) of Ti 3 C 2 than the CB potential of g-C 3 N 4. • Ti 3 C 2 /g-C 3 N 4 composites were conducted by simple in-situ growth. • The composites exhibited superior photocatalytic NO removal and inhibited toxic NO 2. • Formulation Interface interaction of Ti 3 C 2 and g-C 3 N 4 promoted separation of charge carriers. • The introduction of Ti 3 C 2 enhanced light response and adsorption of gas molecule. As for photocatalytic oxidation of nitric oxide (NO), the low NO oxidation activity and generation of by-products (cf. NO 2) are the urgent challenge. To tackle these issues, a simple in-situ growing stragegy was employed to constructe Ti 3 C 2 /g-C 3 N 4 system. The fabricated Ti 3 C 2 /g-C 3 N 4 composite (TC-CN) presented enhanced photocatalytic NO removal efficiency and inhibited toxic NO 2 generation. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and experimental characterizations were combined to demonstrate the presence of strong interface effect between Ti 3 C 2 and g-C 3 N 4 , which could greatly improve photo-generated charge carrier separation via the construction of electron transfer channels, and further activate oxygen molecules adsorbed on the side of Ti 3 C 2 layer. As a result, nitrite and nitrate instead of NO 2 were the final products during the photocatalytic reaction process through the monitoring by in situ diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy (DRIFTS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]