Interfacial coupling effects in α-Fe2O3/g-C3N4 composite magnetically separable heterojunction with upgraded Z-scheme photocatalytic performance of mixed organic pollutant degradation. (October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vignesh, Shanmugam; Kim, Haekyoung
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics and chemistry of solids. Volume 169(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-10
• Subjects: Composite -- Magnetic separable -- Mixed dye -- Photocatalysts -- Recyclability; Solids -- Periodicals; Solides -- Périodiques; Solids; Periodicals; 530.41
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpcs.2022.110869
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3697

Abstract

Abstract: Photocatalysis has fascinated wide consideration due to its promising advantage in wastewater treatment. And the metal-oxides and g-C3 N4 that possess Z-scheme heterojunctions have become the energetic photocatalysts (PCs) in degrading the organic impurities. In this work, a novel magnetic separable g-C3 N4 /α-Fe2 O3 (GFE) nanocomposites (NCs) were fabricated by a facile hydrothermal strategy. Structural, morphological, optical, surface area and magnetic belongings of GFE composites were effectively explored using XRD, FT-IR, XPS, FESEM, HRTEM with EDX mapping, BET, UV-DRS and PL spectra. The (g-C3 N4 /20 wt % α-Fe2 O3 ) GFE2 composite PCs were verified robust with significantly upgraded the photocatalytic efficiency for (anionic) RhB (97.2%) and (cationic) MB (90.6%) mixed aqueous organic pollutants degradation in 150 min under visible-light exposure, which was favourably higher than to GCN (65.2%) and α-Fe2 O3 (16.6%) PCs. Moreover, the as-obtained GFE composite PCs also exposed great stability after five successive recyclabilities. The enhanced photo-degradation activity was largely ascribed to the extended visible-light fascination ability, high surface area, augmented active sites and strong redox ability relatively. Also, the energetic formation of α-Fe2 O3 coupled g-C3 N4 heterojunction that skilled the probable recombination rate and beneficial for the separation of photo-excited electron and hole (e − /h + ) pairs based on active "Z-scheme" mechanism was liable for eliminating organic mixed pollutants. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Novel magnetic separable g-C3 N4 /α-Fe2 O3 nanocomposite was prepared in a facile way. GFE2 PCs presents upgraded photocatalytic efficiency for RhB and MB mixed pollutant. Enhanced degradation activity was ascribed to extended the visible light fascination. Rate constant (k) of GFE2 PCs was nearly 9 folds higher than FE and GCN catalysts. A probable Z-scheme photocatalytic mechanism is also projected in the photocatalyst.