Thermal annealing-enhanced interfacial charge transfer in g-C3N4/rectorite composite for boosted peroxymonosulfate activation

Abstract

Metal-free g-C3N4-based materials with peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation through radical and non-radical reaction has extensively attracted attention for degrading pollutants in wastewater. However, the systematic study of the microstructure and activation mechanism of g-C3N4-based materials with PMS is challenging owing to the confusion of the charge transfer process and the coexistence of multiple reactive oxygen species. Herein, we develop a simple thermal annealing strategy to regulate the surface structure and interface behavior of g-C3N4/rectorite (CN/Rec) catalysts. The obtained thermal annealing CN/Rec catalyst exhibits outstanding reactivity for efficient removal of dyes via activating PMS within 5 min under visible light irrational. Benefiting from the interfacial charge transfer, large surface area and tuned active sites, thermal annealing CN/Rec catalyst indicates remarkable durability over complex conditions, recyclability after five consecutive runs and versatility for the different pollutants. This work strongly provides the mechanistic understanding of the interfacial charge-dependent PMS activation in thermal annealing CN/Rec catalysts and develops an efficient approach for actual water purification.