Earth-abundant insulator hydroxyapatite-based composite for full-spectrum photocatalytic degradation of 2, 4- dichlorophenol.

Insulator hydroxyapatite (HAp) was chosen as a candidate to construct full-spectrum photocatalyst. Glucose as a functional precursor was incorporated into HAp by coprecipitated method, and the glucose-modified HAp was then calcined under nitrogen atmosphere. With the loss of OH- group in HAp and the decomposition of glucose during the calcination, oxygen vacancies (OVs) for regulating the band gap, graphitic carbon (GC) as a good electron acceptor, and a channel for rapid carrier separation via the C-O-Ca forming between OV-HAp and GC can be simultaneously achieved. The as-prepared OV-HAp/GC displayed full-spectrum response and rapid separation of carriers. Moreover, it showed high degradation performance for 2, 4-dichlorophenol (2, 4-DCP), phenol, and tetracycline under visible, NIR, and full-spectrum. This strategy is not only facile, but also exhibits a certain universality. This work opens a new window for full-spectrum photocatalysts construction based on insulators, and large-scale production for practical use can be expected. [Display omitted] • HAp-based full-spectrum photocatalyst can be obtained through a facile strategy. • The resultant OV-HAp/GC showed high degradation performance for organic pollutants. • The strategy showed a certain universality. • Large-scale production of insulator-based full-spectrum materials can be expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]