ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Iron oxide clusters on g-C₃N₄ promote the electron–hole separation in photo-Fenton reaction for efficient degradation of wastewater

Yu Fan, Chong He, and Yuliang Li

Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effects in Arid Region, Ministry of Education, School of Water and Environment, Chang’an University, Xi’an, China

E-mail: yulianglee@hotmail.com

Received: 11 April 2022  Accepted: 6 August 2022

Abstract:

Improving the efficiency of photocatalytic reaction is a long-term problem. Recently, the advantages of combining photocatalytic reaction with other reactions have become apparent. In this work, trinuclear iron cluster (Fe₃) have been integrated on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) nanosheets, which were converted to α-Fe₂O₃/g-C₃N₄ by calcination. It can effectively utilize the synergistic effect of visible light and Fenton oxidation to carry out photo-Fenton synergistic catalytic degradation of pollutants, and the degradation rate of CFCN to tetracycline hydrochloride exceeded 80% within 45 min, which is 9 times higher than that of pure g-C₃N₄. In four cycles, the catalytic effect of the reaction remained stable. The enhanced catalytic performance can be attributed to the separation of electron–hole pairs due to the conversion of Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺ in the Fenton reaction, allowing a large number of holes to be used directly for the degradation of tetracycline. It is worth mentioning that this catalyst can still function under high salinity conditions and it also has the ability to degrade some dyes (MB and RhB). This work will promote a new understanding of the degradation of organic contaminants by supported cluster catalysts, and prove the high efficiency of photo-Fenton synergistic catalysis.

Graphical abstract

Keywords: Graphitic carbon nitride; Iron oxide clusters; Photo-Fenton oxidation; High salinity conditions; Organic contaminants

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-022-02419-2

Chemical Papers 76 (12) 7553–7563 (2022)