Facile Production of a Fenton-Like Photocatalyst by Two-Step Calcination with a Broad pH Adaptability

A novel heterogeneous Fenton-like photocatalyst, Fe-doped graphitic carbon nitride (Fe-g-C₃N₄), was produced by facile two-step calcination method. This Fe-g-C₃N₄ catalyzed rhodamine B degradation in the presence of H₂O₂ accompanied with visible light irradiation. transmission electron microscopy(TEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), FT-IR, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and photoluminescence fluorescent spectrometer (PL) characterization analysis methods were adopted to evaluate the physicochemical property of samples. It can be observed that the Fe-g-C₃N₄ exhibited excellent photocatalytic Fenton-like activity at a wide pH range of 3-9, with rhodamine B(RhB) degradation efficiency up to 95.5% after irradiation for 45 min in the presence of 1.0 mM H₂O₂. Its high activity was ascribed to the formation of Fe-N ligands in the triazine rings that accelerated electron movement driving the Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox cycle, and inhibited photo-generated electron hole re-combinations for continuous generation of reactive oxygen species by reactions between Fe(II) and H₂O₂. The main active oxygen species were hydroxyl radicals, followed by superoxide radicals and hole electrons. This produced catalyst of Fe-g-C₃N₄ shows excellent reusability and stability, and can be a promising candidate for decontamination of wastewater.