Transformation of titanium-based photocatalyst and its degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride

In recent years, titanium-based materials have been greater extensively used in antibiotic degradation studies. Here, TiOF2, TiO2 and H2Ti3O7 were prepared from pre-synthesized HTiOF3 using solvothermal and ion exchange techniques, respectively. The morphology changes during the transformation of each catalyst were examined under different time gradients and the differences in the photocatalytic performances were investigated. Among them, TiO2-5 performed better in catalysis and H2Ti3O7-5 performed better in adsorption, with the final photocatalytic performance reaching 89% and 94%, respectively. The results indicated that the sensitization occurring between TiO2-5, H2Ti3O7-5 and TCH and the synergistic effect of LMCT were beneficial to promote the photocatalysts' response to visible light and improve the carrier separation. The precursor HTiOF3 brings the presence of surface fluorine to TiO2-5, H2Ti3O7-5, which makes promotes the separation of electron-hole pairs. This work enriches the system of titanium-based photocatalysts and provides ideas for the transformation of titanium-based materials. [Display omitted] •Three different titan-based catalysts were prepared with HTiOF3 as the precursor.•The conversion mechanism and catalytic rule of HTiOF3, TiOF2, TiO2 and H2Ti3O7 under specific conditions were studied.•The two catalysts, TiO2-5 and H2Ti3O7-5, showed performance advantages at the adsorption end and in the catalytic segment.•The LMCT and sensitization synergies between TiO2-5, H2Ti3O7-5 and TCH improve the carrier separation efficiency, and the presence of surface fluorine enhances the adsorption performance and promotes the separation of electron hole pairs.