@article{ART003342681},
author={An Mingze and Yang Zhao and Zhang Bingbing and Xue Bin and Pu Hao and Chen Weijie and Wang Sheng and Yang Yuanyuan and Qin Qingqing},
title={Tetracycline degradation and hydrogen production over an interface-engineered double S-Scheme g-C3N4/TiO2 heterojunction photocatalyst},
journal={Carbon Letters},
issn={1976-4251},
year={2026},
volume={36},
number={2},
pages={781-804},
doi={10.1007/s42823-025-01022-1}
TY - JOUR
AU - An Mingze
AU - Yang Zhao
AU - Zhang Bingbing
AU - Xue Bin
AU - Pu Hao
AU - Chen Weijie
AU - Wang Sheng
AU - Yang Yuanyuan
AU - Qin Qingqing
TI - Tetracycline degradation and hydrogen production over an interface-engineered double S-Scheme g-C3N4/TiO2 heterojunction photocatalyst
JO - Carbon Letters
PY - 2026
VL - 36
IS - 2
PB - Korean Carbon Society
SP - 781
EP - 804
SN - 1976-4251
AB - To overcome the limitations of single-component photocatalytic materials, including low carrier separation efficiency, narrow light absorption range, and limited functionality, this study utilized precise interface engineering to construct a double S-scheme g-C3N4/TiO2 (CNT550) heterojunction composite photocatalyst through a two-step hydrothermal and high-temperature calcination approach. Characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT–IR), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR–TEM) verified the formation of intimate interfacial contact between g-C3N4 and both anatase and rutile phases of TiO2. This interfacial structure effectively promotes the separation and migration of photogenerated charge carriers. The dual-functional performance of the material was systematically evaluated for photocatalytic tetracycline (TC) degradation and hydrogen evolution via water splitting. Results demonstrated that under ultraviolet, visible, and simulated sunlight irradiation for 150 min, 300 min, and 300 min, respectively, CNT550 achieved TC degradation rates of 99.6%, 88.0%, and 82.9%, representing significant enhancement compared to g-C3N4 and TiO2. Meanwhile, the hydrogen evolution rate of CNT550 reached 447.8 µmol·h− 1·g− 1, which is 3.25 times and 3.58 times higher than that of g-C3N4 and TiO2, respectively. Furthermore, advanced characterization techniques including in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM), and surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPV), combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, systematically confirmed that the charge transfer and separation in the CNT550 composite follow a double S-scheme mechanism. Mechanism analysis further reveals that the double S-scheme heterojunction not only broadens the light absorption range but also enables efficient interfacial charge transfer and rapid separation of photogenerated carriers, which serves as the key factor contributing to the significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity. This work provides valuable insights and guidance for designing high-performance bifunctional photocatalytic materials. This study provides important theoretical guidance and practical pathways for the design of highly efficient double S-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts, offering valuable insights for the development of high-performance bifunctional photocatalytic materials.
KW - Double s-scheme heterojunction G-C3N4/TiO2 composite photocatalyst Interface engineering Photocatalytic degradation Hydrogen production by water splitting
DO - 10.1007/s42823-025-01022-1
ER -
An Mingze, Yang Zhao, Zhang Bingbing, Xue Bin, Pu Hao, Chen Weijie, Wang Sheng, Yang Yuanyuan and Qin Qingqing. (2026). Tetracycline degradation and hydrogen production over an interface-engineered double S-Scheme g-C3N4/TiO2 heterojunction photocatalyst. Carbon Letters, 36(2), 781-804.
An Mingze, Yang Zhao, Zhang Bingbing, Xue Bin, Pu Hao, Chen Weijie, Wang Sheng, Yang Yuanyuan and Qin Qingqing. 2026, "Tetracycline degradation and hydrogen production over an interface-engineered double S-Scheme g-C3N4/TiO2 heterojunction photocatalyst", Carbon Letters, vol.36, no.2 pp.781-804. Available from: doi:10.1007/s42823-025-01022-1
An Mingze, Yang Zhao, Zhang Bingbing, Xue Bin, Pu Hao, Chen Weijie, Wang Sheng, Yang Yuanyuan, Qin Qingqing "Tetracycline degradation and hydrogen production over an interface-engineered double S-Scheme g-C3N4/TiO2 heterojunction photocatalyst" Carbon Letters 36.2 pp.781-804 (2026) : 781.
An Mingze, Yang Zhao, Zhang Bingbing, Xue Bin, Pu Hao, Chen Weijie, Wang Sheng, Yang Yuanyuan, Qin Qingqing. Tetracycline degradation and hydrogen production over an interface-engineered double S-Scheme g-C3N4/TiO2 heterojunction photocatalyst. 2026; 36(2), 781-804. Available from: doi:10.1007/s42823-025-01022-1
An Mingze, Yang Zhao, Zhang Bingbing, Xue Bin, Pu Hao, Chen Weijie, Wang Sheng, Yang Yuanyuan and Qin Qingqing. "Tetracycline degradation and hydrogen production over an interface-engineered double S-Scheme g-C3N4/TiO2 heterojunction photocatalyst" Carbon Letters 36, no.2 (2026) : 781-804.doi: 10.1007/s42823-025-01022-1
An Mingze; Yang Zhao; Zhang Bingbing; Xue Bin; Pu Hao; Chen Weijie; Wang Sheng; Yang Yuanyuan; Qin Qingqing. Tetracycline degradation and hydrogen production over an interface-engineered double S-Scheme g-C3N4/TiO2 heterojunction photocatalyst. Carbon Letters, 36(2), 781-804. doi: 10.1007/s42823-025-01022-1
An Mingze; Yang Zhao; Zhang Bingbing; Xue Bin; Pu Hao; Chen Weijie; Wang Sheng; Yang Yuanyuan; Qin Qingqing. Tetracycline degradation and hydrogen production over an interface-engineered double S-Scheme g-C3N4/TiO2 heterojunction photocatalyst. Carbon Letters. 2026; 36(2) 781-804. doi: 10.1007/s42823-025-01022-1
An Mingze, Yang Zhao, Zhang Bingbing, Xue Bin, Pu Hao, Chen Weijie, Wang Sheng, Yang Yuanyuan, Qin Qingqing. Tetracycline degradation and hydrogen production over an interface-engineered double S-Scheme g-C3N4/TiO2 heterojunction photocatalyst. 2026; 36(2), 781-804. Available from: doi:10.1007/s42823-025-01022-1
An Mingze, Yang Zhao, Zhang Bingbing, Xue Bin, Pu Hao, Chen Weijie, Wang Sheng, Yang Yuanyuan and Qin Qingqing. "Tetracycline degradation and hydrogen production over an interface-engineered double S-Scheme g-C3N4/TiO2 heterojunction photocatalyst" Carbon Letters 36, no.2 (2026) : 781-804.doi: 10.1007/s42823-025-01022-1
