Step scheme Fe2O3/S doped g-C3N4 heterojunction photocatalysts for photo-fenton norfloxacin and tetracycline degradation

Abstract

Due to their unique persistence in the environmental cycle, pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are increasing concern in the scientific community. Therefore, the development of new energy-saving and environmentally compatible technologies to remove these pollutants is highly requested. In this work, an S-scheme photocatalytic nanoreactor was synthesized by Fe2O3 nanoparticles to S doped carbon nitride nanosheets. The unique structure of S-scheme Fe2O3/SCN heterojunction enhances its optical absorption and has a large number of active sites and photogenerated carrier separation. Consequently, the Fe2O3/SCN demonstrated excellent photo-Fenton degradation activities under visible light irradiation. Remarkedly, 5 mg/L of norfloxacin is completely photo-Fenton degraded following 25 min under visible light irradiation. It further shows that ·OH and ·O2− play an important role in the photo-Fenton catalytic reaction, leading to the decomposition of norfloxacin. The degradation of tetracycline further demonstrates that this photo-Fenton catalytic system can be effectively used to remediate pharmaceutical and personal care product contamination in environmental waterways.