Rhombohedral/Cubic In₂O₃ Phase Junction Hybridized with Polymeric Carbon Nitride for Photodegradation of Organic Pollutants

Abstract

In recent studies, phase junctions constructed as photocatalysts have been found to possess great prospects for organic degradation with visible light. In this study, we designed an elaborate rhombohedral corundum/cubic In2O3 phase junction (named MIO) combined with polymeric carbon nitride (PCN) via an in situ calcination method. The performance of the MIO/PCN composites was measured by photodegradation of Rhodamine B under LED light (λ = 420 nm) irradiation. The excellent performance of MIO/PCN could be attributed to the intimate interface contact between MIO and PCN, which provides a reliable charge transmission channel, thereby improving the separation efficiency of charge carriers. Photocatalytic degradation experiments with different quenchers were also executed. The results suggest that the superoxide anion radicals (O2−) and hydroxyl radicals (·OH) played the main roles in the reaction, as opposed to the other scavengers. Moreover, the stability of the MIO/PCN composites was particularly good in the four cycling photocatalytic reactions. This work illustrates that MOF-modified materials have great potential for solving environmental pollution without creating secondary pollution.

Keywords

• photocatalysis
• photodegradation
• carbon nitride
• phase junction
• MOF