Recent advancements of g-C₃N₄-based magnetic photocatalysts towards the degradation of organic pollutants: a review

Abstract

Heterogeneous photocatalysis premised on advanced oxidation processes has witnessed a broad application perspective, including water purification and environmental remediation. In particular, the graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), an earth-abundant metal-free conjugated polymer, has acquired extensive application scope and interdisciplinary consideration owing to its outstanding structural and physicochemical properties. However, several issues such as the high recombination rate of the photo-generated electron–hole pairs, smaller specific surface area, and lower electrical conductivity curtail the catalytic efficacy of bulk g-C3N4. Another challenging task is separating the catalyst from the reaction medium, limiting their reusability and practical applications. Therefore, several methodologies are adopted strategically to tackle these issues. Attention is being paid, especially to the magnetic nanocomposites (NCs) based catalysts to enhance efficiency and proficient reusability property. This review summarizes the latest progress related to the design and development of magnetic g-C3N4-based NCs and their utilization in photocatalytic systems. The usefulness of the semiconductor heterojunctions on the catalytic activity, working mechanism, and degradation of pollutants are discussed in detail. The major challenges and prospects of using magnetic g-C3N4-based NCs for photocatalytic applications are highlighted in this report.

Photocatalytic Self-Fenton System of g-C3N4-Based for Degradation of Emerging Contaminants: A Review of Advances and Prospects

“…In addition, although g-C 3 N 4 has the advantages of high thermodynamic and chemical stability and condonable energy band structure, it still suffers from the disadvantages of limited light absorption, low charge separation efficiency, and difficulty in recycling, which limit the photocatalytic performance of the material in practical applications [173]. Based on the advantages of g-C 3 N 4 -based magnetic photocatalysts such as excellent optical properties, thermal stability, and easy recycling, they have good prospects for the photocatalytic self-Fenton system.…”

Recent advances in spinel ferrite-based magnetic photocatalysts for efficient degradation of organic pollutants

“…Moreover, the long recovery operation of g-C 3 N 4 from water also hinders its commercial application potential (Zhao et al 2021b). Recently, spinel ferrite/g-C 3 N 4 heterojunctions show excellent solar-to-chemical energy conversion rates (Das & Chowdhury 2021). These composites exhibit interesting properties: unique structural properties, extended light absorption range, enhance charge carrier mobility and high redox capability, as well as facile magnetic recycling ability (Keerthana et al 2022).…”

Construction of Bi2WO6/g-C3N4 Z-Scheme Heterojunction and Its Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline with Persulfate under Solar Light

“…In consequence, the g-C 3 N 4 -combined light catalyst-activated persulfate was an interesting topic. However, the electron-hole (e − -h + ) pairs that were generated by light, recombined readily, which hampered its practical applications [ 12 ]. A number of methods, such as metal loading, microstructure control and heterostructure construction, were used to strengthen the activity of g-C 3 N 4 recently [ 13 ].…”