A
carbon dot
(CD)-intercalated NiFe
2
O
4
(NFO)/graphitic carbon
nitride (g-C
3
N
4
, g-CN) ternary Z-scheme heterojunction
was synthesized by the facile wet chemical method and used for photo-Fenton
degradation. The structural, optical, electrical, vibrational, and
morphological properties of the photocatalysts were investigated through
various analytical methods. The CD-intercalated heterojunction formation
was analyzed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM).
The intercalated CD
acted as an electron donor/acceptor, which converted a type-II heterojunction
to a Z-scheme heterojunction. The formation of Z-scheme heterojunction
was confirmed by the enormous production of radicals (hydroxyl (OH
•
) and superoxide (O
2
–
))
and the elemental trapping experiment. In particular, the heterojunction
photocatalyst NFO/5g-CN/7.5CD showed the highest photo-Fenton degradation
efficiency of 99% for rhodamine B (Rh B) and 93% for tetracycline
(TCN) in the presence of H
2
O
2
. The charge separation
and electron transport behaviors of the photocatalyst were examined
by photoluminescence (PL) and photocurrent measurements. In the Z-scheme
photo-Fenton system, hydroxyl and superoxide radicals played a vital
role in the visible-light-driven degradation process. Hence, the prepared
Z-scheme ternary photocatalyst is well suitable for wastewater treatment
in practical use.
We have developed the LED light active ZnO-embedded S-doped g-C3N4 (SCN) mediator free Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst for effective organic pollutant degradation.
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