Novel VUV/g-C3N4 system with high adaptability to varied environmental conditions and outstanding degradation capacity for chlorophenols

Given the limitations of conventional vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) systems, a novel vacuum ultraviolet/graphite carbon nitride (VUV/g-C 3 N 4 ) system with high adaptability to varying environmental conditions was developed. Compared with conventional VUV and UV/g-C 3 N 4 systems, the VUV/g-C 3 N 4 system demonstrates a much higher ability for the efficient degradation of chlorophenols (CPs). In particular, the VUV/g-C 3 N 4 system exhibits outstanding performance even at low pH and high concentrations of humic acid and SO 4 2- . Alkaline conditions and the presence of HCO 3 - can further promote CP removal. In addition, the feasibility of the VUV/g-C 3 N 4 system was verified by its stable operation in both river water and tap water . Unlike conventional photochemical systems relying on •OH, the dominant reactive species for CP degradation by the VUV/g-C 3 N 4 system was identified to be •O 2 - . This study conclusively provided a novel system for the efficient photocatalytic treatment of pollutants.