Enhanced pyrocatalysis of the pyroelectric BiFeO3/g-C3N4 heterostructure for dye decomposition driven by cold-hot temperature alternation

Abstract

The BiFeO3/g-C3N4 heterostructure, which is fabricated via a simple mixing-calcining method, benefits the significant enhancement of the pyrocatalytic performance. With the growth of g-C3N4 content in the heterostructure pyrocatalysts from 0 to 25%, the decomposition ratio of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye after 18 cold-hot temperature fluctuation (25–65 °C) cycles increases at first and then decreases, reaching a maximum value of ∼94.2% at 10% while that of the pure BiFeO3 is ∼67.7%. The enhanced dye decomposition may be due to the generation of the internal electric field which strengthens the separation of the positive and negative carriers and further accelerates their migrations. The intermediate products in the pyrocatalytic reaction also have been detected and confirmed, which proves the key role of the pyroelectric effect in realizing the dye decomposition using BiFeO3/g-C3N4 heterostructure catalyst. The pyroelectric BiFeO3/g-C3N4 heterostructure shows the potential application in pyrocatalytically degrading dye wastewater.

Recent Advances in g-C3N4-Based Materials and Their Application in Energy and Environmental Sustainability

“…Finally, the RhB dye is degraded to CO 2 and H 2 O under the action of these free radicals ( Figure 14 ). Chen et al [ 230 ] fabricated a BiFeO 3 /g-C 3 N 4 heterostructure through mixing-calcining and compared its performance with BiFeO 3 . Around 30% higher photocatalytic efficiency toward RhB dye was observed for the BiFeO 3 /10% g-C 3 N 4 heterostructure, which was assigned to the contribution of a higher concentration of O 2 − .…”

Metal–Organic-Framework-Derived Ball-Flower-like Porous Co3O4/Fe2O3 Heterostructure with Enhanced Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Activity

“…Various pollutants in water environments can directly cause serious harm to the lives and health of human beings, animals and plants. Organic dyes, for example rhodamine B (RhB), methylene blue and methyl orange, as one of the most common industrial pollution sources at present, have attracted tremendous attention because of their geno- and ecotoxicity [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Therefore, the development of water treatment technologies regarding dye degradation has become a top priority.…”

Strong Tribocatalytic Nitrogen Fixation of Graphite Carbon Nitride g-C3N4 through Harvesting Friction Energy

“…Nowadays, due to the immoderate consumption and mining of fossil fuels, energy shortage and environment pollution have become critical issues which are a threat to the survival and development of society [1]. Accordingly, it is necessary to look for renewable and green energy to replace these fossil fuels.…”