Self-heating effect of g-C3N4/Bi2WO6 on the photodegradation of tetracycline: A deep understanding

The self-heating effect has an important influence on the performance of a catalyst, but it is seldom investigated and reported. In this study, a self-heating heterojunction composed of Bi2WO6 and g-C3N4 was designed and constructed by a hydrothermal method, which greatly improved the photocatalytic performance of the material for tetracycline (TC). In addition to the heterojunction effect, the heating effect of Bi2WO6 on g-C3N4 also promoted the photocatalytic performance of the composite to TC. This phenomenon was confirmed by temperature-dependent electrochemical experiments, EIS and photocurrent curves. The heating effect of Bi2WO6 effectively accelerates the generation and separation of photoelectrons and photoholes in g-C3N4 and the composites. The concept of this study provides a new strategy for the design of efficient photocatalysts. [Display omitted] •A self-heating photocatalyst is designed by combination of g-C3N4 and Bi2WO6.•The photocatalytic performance to tetracycline is greatly enhanced by the heating effect of Bi2WO6 to g-C3N4.•·O2- and H+ play the major roles in the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline.