An efficient heterogeneous catalyst of FeCo2O4/g-C3N4 composite for catalytic peroxymonosulfate oxidation of organic pollutants under visible light

It is a long-term goal to develop catalysts with high activity and stability in practical applications. Spinel FeCo 2 O 4 has been widely researched in heterogeneous catalysis due to its characteristics of stable structure and environmental friendliness. In this work, the composites of graphitic carbon nitride ( g -C 3 N 4 ) and spinel iron cobaltate (FeCo 2 O 4 ) have been fabricated and used to degrade rhodamine B (RhB) by combining the photocatalytic and Fenton-like reactions. The composite with 3% FeCo 2 O 4 (3%FeCo 2 O 4 /CN) showed the best degradation efficiency, with which about 98% RhB was degraded in 45 min. The catalytic activity of 3%FeCo 2 O 4 /CN was larger than that of FeCo 2 O 4 , g -C 3 N 4 , and their mechanical mixture. The synergetic interaction between photocatalytic and Fenton-like reactions and the effective separation of the photogenerated charges are responsible for the enhanced catalytic activity. The quenching and EPR experiments exhibit that SO 4 − , O 2 − , h + , and ΟΗ, especially SO 4 − , are involved in the removal of RhB. The cycle experiments confirm that the used catalyst can restore its catalytic activity after calcination at 400 °C. The work suggests that the composites show a good ability to degrade organic pollutants in wastewater.