Magnetic g-C3N4/NiFe2O4 hybrids with enhanced photocatalytic activity

Abstract

Composite photocatalysts have attracted considerable attention in the exploration of both highly efficient and low cost materials. In this study, novel magnetic g-C₃N₄/NiFe₂O₄ photocatalysts were fabricated by a facile chemisorption method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), infrared spectroscopy (IR), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were utilized to analyze the structure and properties of samples, which indicated that NiFe₂O₄ had been integrated onto the surface of g-C₃N₄ successfully. The as-prepared 7.5% g-C₃N₄/NiFe₂O₄, with the best photocatalytic activity, can maintain high photocatalytic activity and stability after five runs in the presence of hydrogen peroxide under visible light irradiation. During the catalytic reaction, the synergistic effect between g-C₃N₄ and NiFe₂O₄ can accelerate photogenerated charge separation and facilitate the photo-Fenton process to get an enhanced photocatalytic activity. Moreover, the collection and recycling of photocatalyst was readily achieved owing to the distinctive magnetism of g-C₃N₄/NiFe₂O₄.