Codeposition of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles Sandwiched Between g-C3N4 and TiO2 Nanosheets: Structure, Characterization and High Photocatalytic Activity for Efficiently Degradation of Dye Pollutants

Abstract

Novel ternary nanocomposite photocatalysts based on g-C3N4/Fe3O4/TiO2 nanosheet were synthesized using simple solid combustion, hydrothermal and wetness impregnation methods. The g-C3N4 nanosheet (2D)/ Fe3O4/ TiO2 nanosheet (2D) triad-interface nanocomposite arranged in the form of Fe3O4 nanoparticle was sandwiched and well dispersed on the surface between g-C3N4 and TiO2 nanosheets. The synthesized all composites were characterized by techniques such as X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy, Field Emission Scanning Electronic Microscopy (FE-SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM), Specific Surface Area (SSA) and Dynamic Laser Scattering analyzer (DLS). The effect of Fe3O4 loading quantity on photocatalytic overall performance indicated that g-C3N4 nanosheets/ Fe3O4 /TiO2 nanosheets with 5wt.% Fe3O4 nanoparticle exhibit the best photocatalytic ability. After irradiation for 210 min, the methylene blue (MB) degradation efficiency was 63% for g-C3N4, 58% for TiO2, 71% for g-C3N4-TiO2, 85% for g-C3N4-1wt% Fe3O4-TiO2, 96% for g-C3N4-5wt% Fe3O4- TiO2, and 77% for g-C3N4-10wt% Fe3O4-TiO2 indicating that nanocomposites with 5wt% Fe3O4 had the best photocatalytic performance. The SSA of the TiO2, g-C3N4, g-C3N4-TiO2 and g-C3N4-10wt% Fe3O4-TiO2 were determined using Sear’s method. Finally, it is worth mentioning that the surface area of the g-C3N4-10wt% Fe3O4- TiO2 photocatalyst has been found to be 66.2 m2/g.