Novel LaAO_x/g-C₃N₄ (A = V, Fe, Co) Heterojunctions with Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Norfloxacin under Visible Light

Abstract

In this study, novel photocatalysts LaAOx/g-C3N4 (A = V, Fe, Co) were prepared by the hydrothermal method, through which LaAOx and g-C3N4 were mixed and ultrasonically oscillated to gain heterojunction catalysts. All the samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, FT-IR, XPS, DRS, and PL to ensure the successful integration of LaAOx with g-C3N4. The obtained results showed that LaAOx/g-C3N4 (A = V, Fe, Co) could effectually improve the separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers during the photodegradation process, thus improving the photodegradation efficiency, while among them, LaFeO3/g-C3N4 showed the best photocatalytic performance and degradation of norfloxacin under visible light, reaching up to 95% in 180 min, which was 9.32 times higher than pristine g-C3N4. From the discussed results above, the possible mechanism of the photodegradation process was put forward. This study supplies a promising method to gain g-C3N4-based photocatalysts for antibiotics removal.

Keywords

• heterojunction photocatalyst
• nanocomposite
• norfloxacin
• graphitic carbon nitride