Fabrication of high efficiency visible light Z-scheme heterostructure photocatalyst g-C3N4/Fe0(1%)/TiO2 and degradation of rhodamine B and antibiotics

Abstract

Abstract We have prepared and studied a novel low cost catalyst of g-C3N4/Fe0(1%)/TiO2, using a simple process involving the formation of zero valence iron by chemical reduction. This ternary catalyst g-C3N4/Fe0(1%)/TiO2 was characterized using XRD (X-Ray diffraction), UV–vis spectrum, EDS (Energy Dispersive spectrum) and TEM (transmission electron microscopy), it demonstrated high-visible-light activity in a wide range of pH condition, it can photo-catalytically degraded Rhodamine B (RhB), Tetracycline (TC), and Berberine hydrogen chloride (BH) (∼98% in 90 min) under visible light. The high activity arises from the increased harvest of more visible light and the improved separation of photo-excited electrons and holes via Z-scheme and heterojunctions mechanism. Also, the time required to remove 100% RhB, TC, and 96% BH can be shortened from 90 min to 60 min by introducing 3.18 mM Na2SO3 to this photocatalysis system that assisted the generation of reactive oxidizing species and pollutant degradation. The results showed promising application prospect for this developed catalyst and the tested photocatalysis pollutant degradation system.