Sm2O3 nanoparticles coated with N-doped carbon for enhanced visible-light photocatalysis

Abstract Sm2O3 coated with N-doped carbon (Sm2O3@N-C) nanocomposites were synthesized for the visible light driven degradation of tetracycline and RhB. The photo-degradation efficiency of Sm2O3@N-C was better than that of Sm2O3, g-C3N4, and Sm2O3/g-C3N4 for the RhB removal. The photocatalytic activity of Sm2O3@N-C increased and then decreased with an increase in N-doping content for the tetracycline removal. N-doped carbon played a crucial role on the enhanced photocatalytic activity and the stability of Sm2O3@N-C with a carbon shell of 5 nm. It's ascribed to the special interface between Sm2O3 and N-doped carbon, enhancing visible light sorption, facilitating the charge transfer and restraining the recombination of charge carriers.