Facile hydrothermal synthesis of rod-like NbO/NbCT composites for visible-light driven photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants.

The MXene-based transition metal oxide composite is a potential candidate for photocatalysts. Rod-like pseudohexagonal phase NbO/NbCT composites were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal oxidation of 2D layered NbCT. The NbO/NbCT composites show superior photocatalytic activity for 98.5% of degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) for 120 min and 91.2% of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC-HCl) for 180 min under visible light irradiation. The Schottky junction is formed between NbO nanorods and NbCT and the photo-generated carriers are effectively separated, enhancing the photocatalytic activity of the NbO/NbCT. High photoactivity and cycle stability of NbO/NbCT composites indicate that hydrothermal oxidation of 2D layered NbCT is an alternative to prepare efficient photocatalyst for degradation of organic pollutants.