Morphology-Controlled Synthesis of α–Fe2O3 Nanocrystals Impregnated on g-C3N4–SO3H with Ultrafast Charge Separation for Photoreduction of Cr (VI) Under Visible Light. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Balu, Sridharan; Chen, Yi-Lun; Juang, R.-C.; Yang, Thomas C.-K.; Juan, Joon Ching
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 267(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: α-Fe2O3 NCs -- g-C3N4–SO3H -- Z-Scheme -- Cr (VI) photoreduction -- Visible-light; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115491
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Surface functionalization and shape modifications are the key strategies being utilized to overcome the limitations of semiconductors in advanced oxidation processes (AOP). Herein, the uniform α-Fe2 O3 nanocrystals (α-Fe2 O3 –NCs) were effectively synthesized via a simple solvothermal route. Meanwhile, the sulfonic acid functionalization (SAF) and the impregnation of α-Fe2 O3 –NCs on g-C3 N4 (α-Fe2 O3 –NCs@CN-SAF) were achieved through complete solvent evaporation technique. The surface functionalization of the sulfonic acid group on g-C3 N4 accelerates the faster migration of electrons to the surface owing to robust electronegativity. The incorporation of α-Fe2 O3 –NCs with CN-SAF significantly enhances the optoelectronic properties, ultrafast spatial charge separation, and rapid charge transportation. The α-Fe2 O3 -HPs@CN-SAF and α-Fe2 O3 -NPs@CN-SAF nanocomposites attained 97.41% and 93.64% of Cr (VI) photoreduction in 10 min, respectively. The photocatalytic efficiency of α-Fe2 O3 –NCs@CN-SAF nanocomposite is 2.4 and 2.1 times higher than that of pure g-C3 N4 and α-Fe2 O3, respectively. Besides, the XPS, PEC and recycling experiments confirm the excellent photo-induced charge separation via Z-scheme heterostructure and cyclic stability of α-Fe2 O3 –NCs@CN-SAF nanocomposites. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: The sulfonic acid group bonded with g-C3 N4 accelerates the faster electron migration to the catalyst surface. The combined effect of α-Fe2 O3 -NCs/CN-SAF significantly enhances the optoelectronic properties and ultrafast charge transfer. The α-Fe2 O3 –NCs@CN-SAF exhibits 2.4 and 2.1 times higher photoactivity than that of g-C3 N4 and α-Fe2 O3, respectively.