Room temperature synthesis of highly efficient g-C3N4/BiOI composite catalysts and their properties

The g-C 3 N 4 /BiOI composite photocatalysts were synthesized by a mechanically mixing method using BiOI with carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) as raw materials at room temperature. The crystal phase and micro-morphology of as prepared samples were characterized by XRD, TEM, XPS, UV–Vis, PL techniques, and so on. The efficiency of the prepared photocatalysts were evaluated by RhB degradation under visible light irradiation. Photocatalytic tests revealed that the g-C 3 N 4 -20 %/BiOI composite has the highest photocatalytic activity with a 97 % RhB degradation for 2.5 h. This attributed to efficient charge separation at the heterojunction interface: photogenerated electrons from BiOI's conduction band recombined with holes from g-C 3 N 4 's valence band as well as the remaining holes (BiOI) and electrons (g-C 3 N 4 ) drove redox reactions. These results provide a foundation for further exploration of bismuth iodide-based composites in wastewater treatment.