Dual-receptor heterojunction photocatalysts outperform single-receptor systems in natural light-driven tetracycline hydrochloride degradation

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant superbugs has heightened concerns about environmental pollutants such as tetracycline hydrochloride, necessitating effective removal strategies. Among various treatment approaches, interfacial modification means to realize efficient pollutant removal is an ideal method. In this study, a breakthrough in photocatalytic technology was achieved by developing a novel material that combines excellent adsorption capacity with enhanced photocatalytic performance. The innovation lies in our pioneering implementation of a third-component doping strategy, which enabled the construction of an organic semiconductor intrinsic heterojunction photocatalytic layer with an A-D-A structure, integrated onto a natural biomass carbon substrate. This strategic integration creates a synergistic system wherein the natural biomass carbon component rapidly concentrates pollutants, while the organic semiconductor bulk heterojunction photocatalytic layer generates electrons and free radicals for degradation. The material's exceptional performance is evidenced by its ability to completely degrade 20 mg/L of tetracycline hydrochloride within 30 min, establishing a new benchmark in treatment efficiency. Through density-functional theory (DFT) analysis, we have elucidated the underlying degradation mechanism, providing theoretical insights that may facilitate the development of advanced treatment solutions for a broader spectrum of organic pollutants through adsorption photocatalysis.