g-C₃N₄-WO₃-Assisted Dispersion of FePc for Enhanced Photo-Fenton Degradation of PPCPs: Performance, Stability, and Mechanistic Insights

To achieve efficient degradation of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), the g-C₃N₄-WO₃@FePc system was in-situ constructed using a calcination method, with g-C₃N₄-WO₃ serving as the support matrix. This approach effectively resolved the issue of FePc aggregation and self-degradation in aqueous environments. The g-C₃N₄-WO₃@FePc catalyst demonstrated excellent performance in the photo-Fenton degradation of acetaminophen (ACE), achieving over 90% degradation within just 20   minutes under simulated sunlight. The catalyst's superior performance is attributed to the synergistic effects between the reaction centers. The π-π conjugation between g-C₃N₄-WO₃ (the photocatalytic center) and FePc (the Fenton catalytic center) facilitates the transfer of photo-generated electrons from the photocatalytic center to the Fenton catalytic center, enabling rapid regeneration of Fe(II) and generating a significant amount of active species (•O₂⁻ and 1 O₂). To validate the stability of the catalytic system, factors such as ionic impurities and water types affecting performance were investigated and analyzed. Additionally, cell toxicity and antimicrobial tests were conducted to evaluate the toxicity of ACE degradation intermediates and the ecological stability of g-C₃N₄-WO₃@FePc, revealing its potential for practical wastewater treatment applications.