S-scheme 2D/2D FeTiO3/g-C3N4 hybrid architectures as visible-light-driven photo-Fenton catalysts for tetracycline hydrochloride degradation

Abstract

Fabricating highly active and stable hybrid catalytic systems for pollutant degradation is challenging. Herein, we manufactured a series of FeTiO3/g-C3N4 hybrid architectures via self-assembly and used them as efficient visible-light-driven photo-Fenton catalysts for tetracycline hydrochloride degradation. The FeTiO3/g-C3N4 hybrid architecture with optimal photo-Fenton activity, which was synthesized by combining 200 mg of FeTiO3 with 1200 mg of g-C3N4, exhibited excellent recyclability for five photo-Fenton cycles. The catalytic mechanism of the photo-Fenton reaction over FeTiO3/g-C3N4 hybrid architectures was investigated by scavenging the active species generated during the reaction and analyzing the electronic paramagnetic resonance spectra of the reaction mixtures. The remarkable photo-Fenton activity of FeTiO3/g-C3N4 hybrid architectures was ascribed to the S-scheme charge transfer pathway generated via the construction of intimate interfacial contacts between FeTiO3 nanoplates and g-C3N4 nanosheets. We believe this study provides some useful insights into the design and fabrication of S-scheme photo-Fenton catalysts for environmental remediation.