Facile Production of a Fenton-Like Photocatalyst by Two-Step Calcination with a Broad pH Adaptability

A novel heterogeneous Fenton-like photocatalyst, Fe-doped graphitic carbon nitride (Fe-g-C3N4), was produced by facile two-step calcination method. This Fe–g–C3N4 catalyzed rhodamine B degradation in the presence of H2O2 accompanied with visible light irradiation. transmission electron microscopy(TEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), FT-IR, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and photoluminescence fluorescent spectrometer (PL) characterization analysis methods were adopted to evaluate the physicochemical property of samples. It can be observed that the Fe-g-C3N4 exhibited excellent photocatalytic Fenton-like activity at a wide pH range of 3–9, with rhodamine B(RhB) degradation efficiency up to 95.5% after irradiation for 45 min in the presence of 1.0 mM H2O2. Its high activity was ascribed to the formation of Fe–N ligands in the triazine rings that accelerated electron movement driving the Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox cycle, and inhibited photo-generated electron hole re-combinations for continuous generation of reactive oxygen species by reactions between Fe(II) and H2O2. The main active oxygen species were hydroxyl radicals, followed by superoxide radicals and hole electrons. This produced catalyst of Fe–g–C3N4 shows excellent reusability and stability, and can be a promising candidate for decontamination of wastewater.