Enhanced visible light photocatalytic properties of Fe2O3-doped carbon nitride-based organo-catalysts

Fe2O3/g-CN heterojunction composites were successfully fabricated by a simple calcinations method using iron chloride and urea as precursors. A specific amount of Fe2O3 was incorporated on the surface of g-CN and calcinated at 400, 450, and 500 °C to obtain series of Fe2O3/g-CN (400(1), 450(2), 500(3) °C) composites. Characterization techniques were applied to measure the optical activities of Fe/CNx composites. The Fe/CN(2) sample showed a significant enhancement in the separation of photo-generated carriers under visible light due to the Fe coordination within g-CN. The composites were utilized for the first time along with parent g-CN sample for the evolution of H2 source by water splitting experiment, as well as and for photodegradation of MB under visible light illumination (λ = 420 nm). Results demonstrate that Fe/CN(2) samples exhibit a remarkable photocatalytic performance in both electron generation (HER) and holes formation, i.e. good degradation performance and as such, the corresponding degradation rate of the superior sample is 91.4 % at 60 min. Moreover, the reusability tests of Fe/CNx composites at different temperatures confirm good degradation performance and have excellent photochemical stability in terms of hydrogen evolution and removal of pollutants, respectively. With experimental results, a possible photocatalytic mechanism of Fe/CN(2) composite has been exceeded to describe the whole phenomena of photocatalysis.