Facile Fabrication of Fe2O3/Nitrogen Deficient g-C3N4-x Composite Catalysts with Enhanced Photocatalytic Performances

The modification of graphitic carbon nitride can significantly improve the photocatalytic performance of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4). Fe2O3/nitrogen-deficient g-C3N4-x composite catalysts were prepared with dicyandiamide as the precursor and Fe3+ doped in this study. The composite catalysts were characterized by XRD, SEM, FT-IR, XPS and photocurrent measurements. Close interaction occurred between Fe2O3 and nitrogen deficient g-C3N4-x, more photogenerated electrons were created and effectively separated from the holes, resulting in a decrease of photocarrier recombination, and thus enhancing the photocurrent. Photocatalytic performance experiments showed that Fe2O3 / nitrogen deficient g-C3N4-x could utilize low-energy visible light more efficiently than pure g-C3N4, and the removal rate was 92% in 60 minutes.