Preparation of Ti₄O₇/h‐BN self‐supported ceramic photoelectrode and its photoelectrocatalytic performance for water purification

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The construction of high‐efficiency self‐supported ceramic photoelectrode based on ideal semiconductor materials is essential for achieving effective degradation of pollutants by photoelectrocatalysis (PEC) technology. Herein, a Ti 4 O 7 /h‐BN composite ceramic photoelectrode with a unique microstructure was fabricated by a step‐by‐step calcination process and used in PEC water pollution remediation. The PEC activity of Ti 4 O 7 ceramic photoelectrode could be enhanced by introducing hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) nanoparticles on the surface. The most optimized Ti 4 O 7 /h‐BN photoelectrode exhibited the decolorization rate of active brilliant blue KN‐R at about 97.79% in 30 min. The PEC activities could remain stable during five degradation cycles. The excellent photoelectrocatalytic performance of Ti 4 O 7 /h‐BN ceramic photoelectrode could be attributed to the low Tafel slope, low charge transfer resistance, large electrochemical active area, and excellent photo‐generated carrier separation efficiency. A type‐II heterojunction was formed between the Ti 4 O 7 and h‐BN, which caused more effective carrier separation and enhanced the generation of dominant active species •O 2− and h + . This work provided a mature synthesis strategy of Ti 4 O 7 /h‐BN self‐supported ceramic photoelectrodes with excellent practical application prospects to achieve superior PEC performance for water purification.