Enhanced visible light photocatalytic properties of Fe2O3-doped carbon nitride-based organo-catalysts. (15th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Khan, Muhammad Wasim; Asif, Sana Ullah; Ahmed, Fahim; Rehman, Ata-ur; Makhdoom, A R; Khan, Ehsan Ullah
• Is Part Of: Physica scripta. Volume 96:Number 5(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-03-15
• Subjects: Simulated visible light -- water splitting -- photo-degradation -- g-CN -- photocatalysis; Physics -- Periodicals; 530.05
• DOI: 10.1088/1402-4896/abeba1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0031-8949

Abstract

Abstract: Fe2 O3 /g-CN heterojunction composites were successfully fabricated by a simple calcinations method using iron chloride and urea as precursors. A specific amount of Fe2 O3 was incorporated on the surface of g-CN and calcinated at 400, 450, and 500 °C to obtain series of Fe2 O3 /g-CN (400(1), 450(2), 500(3) °C) composites. Characterization techniques were applied to measure the optical activities of Fe/CNx composites. The Fe/CN(2) sample showed a significant enhancement in the separation of photo-generated carriers under visible light due to the Fe coordination within g-CN. The composites were utilized for the first time along with parent g-CN sample for the evolution of H2 source by water splitting experiment, as well as and for photodegradation of MB under visible light illumination ( λ = 420 nm). Results demonstrate that Fe/CN(2) samples exhibit a remarkable photocatalytic performance in both electron generation (HER) and holes formation, i.e. good degradation performance and as such, the corresponding degradation rate of the superior sample is 91.4 % at 60 min. Moreover, the reusability tests of Fe/CNx composites at different temperatures confirm good degradation performance and have excellent photochemical stability in terms of hydrogen evolution and removal of pollutants, respectively. With experimental results, a possible photocatalytic mechanism of Fe/CN(2) composite has been exceeded to describe the whole phenomena of photocatalysis.