Activation of Persulfate for Improved Naproxen Degradation Using FeCo₂O₄@g-C₃N₄ Heterojunction Photocatalysts

Abstract

An effective heterojunction with robust charge separation and enormous degradation efficiency is the major task for photocatalyst preparation. In this study, we have prepared the FeCo 2 O 4 -loaded g-C 3 N 4 nanosheet by the sol–gel-assisted calcination method for photo-Fenton-like degradation under visible-light irradiation by activating persulfate. The nanocomposite exhibits a higher charge separation efficiency than pure g-C 3 N 4 and FeCo 2 O 4 for the degradation reaction against naproxen drugs. An effective interaction between the nanoparticles increases the degradation efficiency up to 91% with a synergistic index of 73.62%. Moreover, the nanocomposite exhibits a 78% mineralization efficiency against the naproxen pollutant under visible-light irradiation. For practical implementation, the degradation reaction was tested with various pH values, different water sources (DI, lake, and tap water), and light sources (LED (visible)/direct sunlight (UV–visible)). Moreover, the possible degradation mechanism predicted by the elemental trapping experiment and the recycling experiment clearly revealed that the heterojunction composite has a high enough degradation stability.

Augmenting the Photocatalytic Performance of Direct Z-Scheme Bi2O3/g-C3N4 Nanocomposite

“…Therefore, the accumulated CB electrons at g-C 3 N 4 and holes at VB of Bi 2 O 3 generate the superoxide radicals and hydroxyl radicals for the degradation reaction. This element of the Z-scheme mechanism is well matched with the scavengers' experiment and the literature reports [23][24][25][26]. The possible charge transport and degradation mechanism of the Bi 2 O 3 /g-C 3 N 4 nanocomposite is given below [1][2][3][4]:…”

Photodegradation of naproxen using CuZnAl-layered double hydroxides as photocatalysts

“…Previous literature showed that the initial pH value of the suspension plays a significant role in organic photocatalytic degradation. 25,26 Therefore, a series of degradation experiments were carried out by setting the pH value of the suspension between 7.0 and 10.0 to prevent the dissolution of LDH at other pH values. The results are shown in Fig.…”

Z‐Scheme TiO2/g‐C3N4 Activation of Peroxymonosulfate to Remove Organic Pollutants: Properties and Mechanism

“…[9][10][11] Using g-C 3 N 4 as the PS/PMS heterogeneous activator can effectively avoid the above problems. [12,13] g-C 3 N 4 prepared by direct thermal polycondensation of nitrogen-containing precursors generally presents bulk particles with a small specific surface area and low photocarrier separation efficiency, [14,15] resulting in a poor activation effect on PMS. Semiconductor materials can effectively improve the efficiency of charge separation and transmission by constructing an internal electric field in the heterojunction.…”

“…Graphite carbon nitride (g‐C 3 N 4 ) is a visible light‐driven nonmetallic material with excellent chemical and thermal stability that can be prepared by a simple pyrolysis method with low cost and easily controlled structure and performance [9–11] . Using g‐C 3 N 4 as the PS/PMS heterogeneous activator can effectively avoid the above problems [12,13] …”