Nitrogen-doped Bi2O2CO3 nanoplates embedded with surface oxygen vacancies for augmented photocatalytic degradation of levofloxacin

Herein, a series of two-dimensional nitrogen-doped Bi2O2CO3 nanoplates embedded with oxygen vacancies (OVs) are synthesized via a bottom-up self-assembly from one-step hydrolysis. They can serve as efficient photocatalysts that allow a degradation ratio of levofloxacin (LEV) up to 94.4 % in 50 min under simulated sunlight, which is 2.5 times over undoped Bi2O2CO3. Incorporation of N atoms into the Bi2O2CO3 lattice not only extends the light absorption range for more effective utilization of solar light, but also narrows the band gap and increases the OVs concentration. Therefore, the separation of photo-induced charge-carriers is promoted, and further, the production of active species, mainly holes (h+) and superoxide radicals (•O2−), is accelerated.