Face-to-face interfacial assembly of a hybrid NiAl-LDH@BiOIO₃ photocatalyst for the effective solar-induced abatement of antibiotic and dye pollutants: Insights into surface engineering and S-scheme charge transfer

The development of hybrid catalysts with 2D/2D interfacial contact and step-scheme (S-scheme) charge transfer is crucial for photocatalysis because these catalysts potentially offer more efficient photoexcited charge separation and separated charge carriers with a stronger redox capability. In this study, we strategically developed a novel hybrid NiAl layered double hydroxide (LDH)@BiOIO₃ (BOI) photocatalyst with effective S-scheme charge transfer for the efficient solar-induced abatement of aqueous antibiotic and dye pollutants. The in-situ growth of LDH sheets on BOI sheets yielded a hybrid 2D/2D LDH@BOI photocatalyst with favorable face-to-face interfacial contact, which provided a broader platform for photoinduced charge migration and minimizes charge recombination. Furthermore, the S-scheme charge transfer mechanism within the hybrid photocatalyst effectively promoted the separation of the photoinduced charge carriers and preserved their strong redox capability. These beneficial features, in combination with the large specific surface area and enhanced light-harvesting capability, were responsible for the exceptional photocatalytic performance of the optimized hybrid LDH@BOI photocatalyst in terms of the degradation and mineralization of sulfamethoxazole and Congo red dye. Notably, the proposed hybrid photocatalyst outperformed BOI and LDH individually and previously reported state-of-the-art photocatalysts while maintaining its stability over consecutive test cycles, highlighting it as a promising candidate for photocatalytic applications.