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Can magnetic β-NaYF4/g-C3N4 heterojunction with highly and stable NIR enhanced photocatalytic activity be synthesized by one-step solvothermal process

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Abstract

To overcome the intrinsic disadvantages of pristine g-C3N4 and make it reusable, improve the activity of g-C3N4 by making use of the near-infrared region, the magnetic Fe3O4/β-NaYF4/g-C3N4 (FO/UC/CN) heterogeneous materials with high and stable NIR enhanced photocatalytic activity were prepared via a new facile one-step solvothermal synthesis method. It can be revealed that FO/UC/CN can activate UV–visible light under excitation of 980 nm. Compared with pure Fe3O4, g-C3N4 and Fe3O4/g-C3N4, the obtained FO/UC/CN15 heterojunction exhibits good photodegradation rates of 65.56, 21.35, 59.22 and 20.49% for MB, MO, RhB and phenol, respectively. In addition, after four cycles of the photocatalytic degradation test, the photodegradation rates remain 62.14, 20.54, 57.64 and 19.36%, respectively. The results illustrate magnetic FO/UC/CN heterojunction exhibits highly NIR-enhanced photocatalytic activity and excellent stability. This study indicates a promising system to synthesize g-C3N4-based magnetic photocatalysis for effectively utilizing the NIR and treating industrial wastewater, which can be expected to alleviate the energy crisis and enhance the application of solar energy for dealing with environmental remediation in the future.

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Acknowledgements

This work is supported by the National Science Foundation of China (41771272, 51778598), Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province (2022J01132905, 2015J01644, 2017J01590, 2017J01710, 2018J01510), Scientific Research Projects of Fujian Middle-aged and Young Teacher Education Research Project (JAT200521, JAT200537), Program for New Century Excellent Talents in Fujian Province University, Key Laboratory of Ecological Environment and Information Atlas in Fujian Provincial University (ST18003), Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of ecotoxicological effects and Control of New pollutants (PY19001), Projects of Putian University (2015060, 2016015, 2016065, 2016035, 2017071), National College Students' Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program Project (202011498004, 202011498007). Moreover, we thank Hongyun Ren (Institute of Urban Environment (IUE), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), China) for the SEM investigations.

Funding

National Science Foundation of China, 41771272, Zhangxu Chen, 51778598, Zhangxu Chen, Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province, 2015J01644 and 2022J01132905, Zhangxu Chen, 2017J01590, Zhangxu Chen, 2017J01710, Zhangxu Chen, 2018J01510, Zhangxu Chen.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Putian University, No. 1133, Xueyuan Road, Putian, 351100, Fujian, China

    Zhangxu Chen, Danchen Zhu & Lidan Zhang

  2. Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ecology-Toxicological Effects and Control for Emerging Contaminants, No. 1133, Xueyuan Road, Putian, 351100, Fujian, China

    Zhangxu Chen, Danchen Zhu & Lidan Zhang

  3. Key Laboratory of Ecological Environment and Information Atlas, Fujian Provincial University, No. 1133, Xueyuan Road, Putian, 351100, Fujian, China

    Zhangxu Chen, Danchen Zhu & Lidan Zhang

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Chen, Z., Zhu, D. & Zhang, L. Can magnetic β-NaYF4/g-C3N4 heterojunction with highly and stable NIR enhanced photocatalytic activity be synthesized by one-step solvothermal process. Appl. Phys. A 128, 668 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-022-05814-4

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