Novel Z-scheme heterogeneous photo-Fenton-like g-C3N4/FeOCl for the pollutants degradation under visible light irradiation

Abstract Effective electron-hole separation efficiency is an important factor for enhanced photocatalytic activity. In this work, the Z-scheme heterogeneous photo-Fenton-like (HPF-like) g-C3N4/FeOCl catalysts were synthesized successfully by calcination method. The composites were applied for the photo-Fenton (PF) degradation of water pollutants with the assistance of H2O2. During this process, the color-less antibiotic tetracycline and dye rhodamine B were used as the target pollutants. Compared with pure FeOCl material, the Z-scheme g-C3N4/FeOCl composites reveal a higher PF catalytic activity under the irradiation of visible light. According to the experimental results, the enhanced catalytic activity of g-C3N4/FeOCl material was attributed to the formation of Z-scheme between g-C3N4 and FeOCl, which could promote the separation efficiency of electron-hole pairs induced by hybridization. Moreover, with the addition of g-C3N4, the increased specific surface area would further promoted the decomposition of H2O2 to form more OH. The results of radical trapping experiments and ESR confirmed the hydroxyl radical was the main active group in this process, indicating the Z-scheme was generated between g-C3N4 and FeOCl. Therefore, a possible mechanism of this HPF-like g-C3N4/FeOCl material was presented. This work may promote the development and application of FeOCl-based materials in the field of PF-like water pollutants treatment.