Ultrasound-Assisted Hydrothermal Fabrication of AgI/MFeO3/g-C3N4 (M = Y, Gd, La) Nano Sheet–Sphere–Sheet Photocatalysts with Enhanced Photodegradation Activities for Norfloxacin

Abstract

AgI/MFeO3/g-C3N4 (M = Y, Gd, La) nano sheet–sphere–sheet photocatalysts were synthesized by a simple ultrasound-assisted hydrothermal approach. We characterized the microstructure, surface morphology, and optical absorption capacity of the obtained samples. According to the characterization results, AgI/MFeO3/g-C3N4 (M = Y, Gd, La) nano sheet–sphere–sheet photocatalysts were successfully obtained. MFeO3 nanospheres and AgI nanosheets were dispersed evenly on the surface of g-C3N4 nanosheets. AgI/MFeO3/g-C3N4 showed remarkable photocatalytic. Especially, 95% of NOF was photodegradated over AgI/LaFeO3/g-C3N4 within 3 h and the higher photocatalytic performance still remained after six cycles. Additionally, The N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms of AgI/MFeO3/g-C3N4 showed that AgI/LaFeO3/g-C3N4 possessed the highest specific surface area (79.32 m2/g). The result of scavenging experiment revealed that ·O2−, h+, and ·OH were the main roles in the photodegradation process. Benefitting from the nice energy band matching, MFeO3 acted as the center of photogenerated electrons migration and separation provided more direct electron channels. This work proposes an effective approach for the design and configuration of dual Z-scheme photocatalysts to accomplish the removal of organic contaminants based on g-C3N4.

Graphitic Carbon Nitride Codoped with Sulfur and Yttrium for Efficient Visible-Light Photocatalytic Performance

“…The binding energies of Y 3d 3/2 and 3d 1/2 are 157.61 and 159.57 eV, respectively. The results show that the Y atom exists in the triangle vacancy of the lattice of g-C 3 N 4 as Y 3+ and forms a coordination bond Y–N with the N atom . The atomic ratio is 42.59, 56.70, 0.13, and 0.58% for C, N, S, and Y, respectively.…”

“…Due to its 2D layered structure similar to graphene, g-C 3 N 4 was considered as a 2D functional material most likely to be new candidate carbon material . Nowadays, g-C 3 N 4 has found extensive applications in photocatalytic hydrogen produce, − photocatalytic degradation of pollutants, and photocatalytic reduction of CO 2 . − However, there existed certain shortcomings that restricted its applications, such as small specific surface areas, low quantum efficiency, rapid electron hole recombination, weak visible light response, and so forth. − In order to overcome these shortcomings, some strategies have been executed to improve its photocatalytic activity by element doping, semiconductor heterojunction, , and increasing its specific surface area . Doping impurity atoms into the original crystal structure of a semiconductor catalyst improves its electron band structure .…”

Recent advances in removal of pharmaceutical pollutants in wastewater using metal oxides and carbonaceous materials as photocatalysts: a review

“…Efficient photocatalytic performance for norfloxacin degradation has also been reported in chitosan/TiO 2 @g-C 3 N 4 , 417 AgI/MFeO 3 /g-C 3 N 4 (M: Y, Gd, La), 418 Bi 2 Sn 2 O 7 /g-C 3 N 4 , 419 Ag/graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots (CNQDs)/g-C 3 N 4 , 420 BiOBr/iron oxides, 421 and CdS QDs/CaFe 2 O 4 @ZnFe 2 O 4 422 photocatalysts.…”