Fabrication of α-Fe2O3 Nanoparticles/g-C3N4 Direct Z-Scheme Heterojunction of Durable Photocatalytic Activity
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide The fabrication of a nanohybrid photocatalyst that combines α-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles with graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) is reported. The ensuing direct Z-scheme heterojunction greatly boosts the photocatalytic activity of the α-Fe 2 O 3 /g-C 3 N 4 nanohybrids. This results in organic dye degradation rates more than two times higher than its individual components, promoted by the efficient charge separation and transfer of the Z-scheme heterojunction mechanism of the nanohybrid photocatalyst. In addition, recyclability tests show an outstanding stability of the nanohybrids spanning five consecutive dye degradation experiments, during which the degradation rate is slightly improved. The origin of the improved photocatalytic performance of the nanohybrid lies in the intimate interaction between α-Fe 2 O 3 and g-C 3 N 4 afforded by the two-step fabrication process, which enables the direct and controlled growth of α-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles on g-C 3 N 4 . A first ultrasound impregnation step promotes the effective anchoring of stable Fe species via Fe−N and C−N/C−O bonding, while a second microwave phase conversion step induces the subsequent growth of α-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles on the g-C 3 N 4 sheets. Careful control of the FeCl 3 precursor concentration up to a threshold value of 0.25 M during impregnation enables complete control over their size and phase. This approach clearly highlights the benefits of microwave reactor systems in the fabrication of hematite-based Z-scheme photocatalytic, overcoming the limitations of conventional thermal treatment technology.
Source: ACS Applied Nano Materials
Language: English
Field: Energy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
Funders: National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, European Commission, Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Gobierno de Aragón, Vlaamse regering, Office of Science, European Regional Development Fund, Agencia Estatal de Investigación, Departamento de Educación, Cultura y Deporte, Gobierno de Aragón, Division of Materials Research, Basic Energy Sciences, Argonne National Laboratory, Ministerio de Universidades
Awards: G102163711, G107546177, G1286251239, G1313983767, Nanofabricación y microscopías avanzadas (NANOMIDAS), G1622782223, G1664757510, G1840974328, G1861496724, G2262748287, G2287611682, G262962599, G2673512141, G2799588417, G3020948319, G3075337988, G3480869486, G3589692066, G3845300180, G3924576397, G3945525359, G4210397295, G425668148, G426311843, G4431801049, G451917667, G4526231891, G4606391446, G464105488, G498139845, G5080475149, G5094106602, G513797252, G5387317844, G5513920777, High-end electron paramagnetic resonance instrumentation for catalysis and materials characterization, G5701442708, G5967599077, G6033112984, G6848031779, G6918803902, G6988075582, G7084143925, G7464710855, G7507702669, G7583137537, G7713051184, Nanoestructuras de carbono y nanotecnología, G8098073501, G8492336954, MRI Consortium: Development of Dynamic PicoProbe for Multi-Modal, Multi-Dimensional HyperSpectral Imaging of Soft/Hard Matter and Interfaces in Environmental Media, G8550902752, G8684520763, G8851265979, G969889393, G983705713, G993149817
OpenAlex ID: W4409910940