Graphitic carbon nitride engineered α-Fe2O3/rGO heterostructure for visible-light-driven photochemical oxidation of sulfamethoxazole
Abstract
Rational design of semiconductor photocatalysts is an effective way to achieve efficient visible-light-driven environmental remediation. Herein, a series of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) engineered hematite (Fe2O3)/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) photocatalysts were synthesised and employed in visible-light-driven photo-Fenton-like degradation of sulfamethoxazole (SMX). The exceptional performance of the optimal photocatalyst (0.4-FerGCN-3) was achieved because of the successful structural integration of g-C3N4/Fe2O3/rGO for efficient separation and migration of photoinduced charge carriers (e−/h+). Photochemical decomposition efficiency was also optimised by analysing the important reaction parameters such as initial catalyst loading, initial H2O2 dosage, pH, and reaction temperature. Detailed studies on the generation of reactive species and degradation intermediates were performed to propose a possible mechanism for SMX degradation. The findings may provide not only a strategy for nanostructure engineering of semiconductor photocatalysts but also insights into the effective remediation of emerging contaminants such as SMX.
RAS ID
56427
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
1-1-2023
Volume
451
Funding Information
Higher Education Commission, Pakistan Edith Cowan University Australian Research Council
School
School of Science
Grant Number
ARC Number : DP190103548
Grant Link
http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP190103548
Copyright
subscription content
Publisher
Elsevier
Comments
Asif, A. H., Rafique, N., Hirani, R. A. K., Shi, L., Zhang, S., Wang, S., & Sun, H. (2023). Graphitic carbon nitride engineered α-Fe2O3/rGO heterostructure for visible-light-driven photochemical oxidation of sulfamethoxazole. Chemical Engineering Journal, 451(2), article 138630. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2022.138630