Precisely control interface OVs concentration for enhance 0D/2D Bi2O2CO3/BiOCl photocatalytic performance

The optimized interface OVs concentration not only reduced the migration resistance of the photo-induced carriers at the interface under the driven of built-in electric field, but also effectively inhibit the recombination of photo-generated carriers, resulting in excellent photocatalytic performance. [Display omitted] •Supply a novel ideal to estimate the interface OVs concentration.•The migration resistance of carriers was greatly decreased by the interface OVs.•0D/2D Bi2O2CO3/BiOCl present wonderful photocatalytic activity. Enhancing the separation and migration efficiency of the photo-induced carriers is an appealing strategy to augment the photocatalytic performance. Herein, 0D/2D Bi2O2CO3/BiOCl heterojunction with rich interface oxygen vacancy (OVs) was successfully fabricated by in-situ ion exchange avenue using sodium citrate as CO32− source. Multiple characterizations reveal that BOBl can degrade 84% tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) in 60 min, which is 6.4 and 6.0 fold higher than that of BiOCl and Bi2O2CO3, respectively. Moreover, further research found that the impressive activity of 0D/2D Bi2O2CO3/BiOCl emanates from the large surface area and the polishing separation and migration efficiency of the photo-generated carriers induced by the reasonable interface OVs concentration. Additionally, the OVs concentration of Bi2O2CO3, BiOCl and interface in 0D/2D Bi2O2CO3/BiOCl composites were estimated based on Raman and ESR techniques. This work not only provides a novel avenue to identify the components OVs concentration in heterostructure, but also offers a new ideal to ameliorate photocatalytic performance through interfacial defect engineering.