Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Well-dispersed zero-valent iron supported on Fe3O4/g-C3N4 composites via a facile approach with versatile photoredox catalysis

  • Research Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Nanoparticle Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A well-dispersed Fe0/Fe3O4/g-C3N4 ternary hybrid composition was successfully synthesized through a calcination route followed by a hydrothermal treatment. It was significant to find that Fe0/Fe3O4/g-C3N4 possesses the optimal photocatalytic efficiency and excellent reusability toward Cr(VI) and RhB. The enhanced photocatalytic efficiency was attributable to the comprehensive factors including intimate contact of Fe0/Fe3O4 with g-C3N4, efficacious recombination inhibition of photoexcited carries, and synergistic interaction between each composition. Moreover, the photoredox catalytic mechanism of Fe0/Fe3O4/g-C3N4 was clearly proved by transient photocurrent responses, PL spectra properties, and exploring the formed active radicals that contribute to the improved photoredox activity. It is expected that our work could offer a notional guidance to design a promising photocatalytic compound for simultaneously degrading heavy metal ions and organic pollutant.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adhikari SP, Pant HR, Kim HJ, Park CH, Kim CS (2015) Deposition of ZnO flowers on the surface of g-C3N4 sheets via hydrothermal process. Ceram Int 41:12923–12929

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bai X, Wang L, Wang Y, Yao W, Zhu Y (2014) Enhanced oxidation ability of g-C3N4 photocatalyst via C60 modification. Appl Catal B Environ 152-153:262–270

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chaudhary RG, Sonkusare VN, Bhusari GS, Mondal A, Shaik D, Juneja HD (2018) Microwave-mediated synthesis of spinel CuAl2O4, nanocomposites for enhanced electrochemical and catalytic performance. Res Chem Intermed 4:2039–2060

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen S, Hu Y, Meng S, Fu X (2014) Study on the separation mechanisms of photogenerated electrons and holes for composite photocatalysts g-C3N4-WO3. Appl Catal B-Environ 150:564–573

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen W, Huang T, Hua YX, Liu TY, Liu XH, Chen SM (2016a) Hierarchical CdIn2S4 microspheres wrapped by mesoporous g-C3N4 ultrathin nanosheets with enhanced visible light driven photocatalytic reduction activity. J Hazard Mater 320:529–538

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen T, Quan W, Yu L, Hong Y, Song C, Fan M, Xiao L, Gu W, Shi W (2016b) One-step synthesis and visible-light-driven H2 production from water splitting of Ag quantum dots/g-C3N4 photocatalysts. J Alloy Compound 686:628–634

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Diao ZH, Xu XR, Jiang D, Kong LJ, Sun YX, Hu YX, Hao QW, Chen H (2016) Bentonite-supported nanoscale zero-valent iron/persulfate system for the simultaneous removal of Cr(VI) and phenol from aqueous solutions. Chem Engineer J 302:213–222

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fathy A, Sadoun A, Abdelhameed M (2014) Effect of matrix/reinforcement particle size ratio (PSR) on the mechanical properties of extruded Al-SiC composites. Inter J Adv Manufacturing Technol 73:1049–1056

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fathy A, El-Kady O, Mohammed M (2015) Effect of iron addition on microstructure, mechanical and magnetic properties of Al-matrix composite produced by powder metallurgy route. T Nonferr Metal Soc 25:46–53

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fathy A, Elkady O, Abu-Oqail A (2017) Synthesis and characterization of Cu-ZrO2, nanocomposite produced by thermochemical process. J Alloys Compounds 719:411–419

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fu Y, Huang T, Zhang L, Zhu J, Wang X (2015) Ag/g-C3N4 catalyst with superior catalytic performance for the degradation of dyes: a borohydride-generated superoxide radical approach. Nanoscale 7:13723–13733

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guo S, Tang Y, Xie Y, Tian C, Feng Q, Zhou W, Jiang B (2017) P-doped tubular g-C3N4 with surface carbon defects: universal synthesis and enhanced visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen production. Appl Catal B-Environ 218:664–671

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Han C, Chen Z, Zhang N, Colmenares JC, Xu YJ (2015a) Hierarchically CdS decorated 1D ZnO nanorods-2D graphene hybrids: low temperature synthesis and enhanced photocatalytic performance. Adv Funct Mater 25:221–229

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Han C, Wu L, Ge L, Li Y, Zhao Z (2015b) AuPd bimetallic nanoparticles decorated graphitic carbon nitride for highly efficient reduction of water to H2 under visible light irradiation. Carbon 92:31–40

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hashemzadeh F, Gaffarinejad A, Rahimi R (2015) Porous p-NiO/n-Nb2O5 nanocomposites prepared by an EISA route with enhanced photocatalytic activity in simultaneous Cr(VI) reduction and methyl orange decolorization under visible light irradiation. J Hazard Mater 286:64–74

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hou Y, Gan Y, Yu Z, Chen X, Qian L, Zhang B, Huang L, Huang J (2017) Solar promoted azo dye degradation and energy production in the bio-photoelectrochemical system with a g-C3N4/BiOBr heterojunction photocathode. J Power Sources 371:26–34

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang Z, Wei W, Mao D, Chen C, Shi Y, Lv X, Xie J (2015) Silver-loaded nitrogen-doped yolk-shell mesoporous TiO2 hollow microspheres with enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity. Nanoscale 7:784–797

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jing L, Zhu R, Phillips DL, Yu JC (2017) Effective prevention of charge trapping in graphitic carbon nitride with nanosized red phosphorus modification for superior photo(electro)catalysis. Adv Funct Mater 27:1703484

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jo WK, Natarajan TS (2015) Influence of TiO2 morphology on the photocatalytic efficiency of direct Z-scheme g-C3N4/TiO2 photocatalysts for isoniazid degradation. Chem Engineer J 281:549–565

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kar P, Farsinezhad S, Mahdi N, Zhang Y, Obuekw U, Sharma H, Shen J, Semagina N, Shankar K (2016) Enhanced CH4 yield by photocatalytic CO2 reduction using TiO2 nanotube arrays grafted with Au, Ru, and ZnPd nanoparticles. Nano Res 9:3478–3493

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kilby C (2014) China’s rare earth trade: health and the environment. China Quart 218:540–550

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kokane S, Sasikala R, Phase D, Sartale S (2017) In2S3 nanoparticles dispersed on g-C3N4 nanosheets: role of heterojunctions in photoinduced charge transfer and photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic performance. J Mater Sci 52:7077–7090

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar S, Surendar T, Kumar B, Baruah A, Shanker V (2013) Synthesis of magnetically separable and recyclable g-C3N4-Fe3O4 hybrid nanocomposites with enhanced photocatalytic performance under visible-light irradiation. J Phys Chem C 117:26135–26143

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li G, Nie X, Chen J, Jiang Q, An T, Wong PK, Zhang H, Zhao H, Yamashita H (2015a) Enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic inactivation of Escherichia coli using g-C3N4/TiO2 hybrid photocatalyst synthesized using a hydrothermal-calcination approach. Water Res 86:17–24

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li M, Zhang L, Fan X, Zhou Y, Wu M, Shi J (2015b) Highly selective CO2 photoreduction to CO over g-C3N4/Bi2WO6 composites under visible light. J Mater Chem A 3:5189–5196

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li K, Xie X, Zhang WD (2016) Photocatalysts based on g-C3N4-encapsulating carbon spheres with high visible light activity for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Carbon 110:356–366

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liang ZY, Wei JX, Wang X, Yu Y, Xiao FX (2017) Elegant Z-scheme-dictated g-C3N4 enwrapped WO3 superstructures: a multifarious platform for versatile photoredox catalysis. J Mater Chem A 5:15601–15612

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu H, Chen T, Xie Q, Zou X, Chen C, Frost RL (2015a) The functionalization of limonite to prepare NZVI and its application in decomposition of p-nitrophenol. J Nanopart Res 17:374

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu Q, Zheng Y, Zhong L, Cheng X (2015b) Removal of tetracycline from aqueous solution by a Fe3O4 incorporated PAN electrospun nanofiber mat. J Environ Sci 28:29–36

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu F, Yu J, Tu G, Qu L, Xiao J, Liu Y, Wang L, Lei J, Zhang J (2017) Carbon nitride coupled Ti-SBA15 catalyst for visible-light-driven photocatalytic reduction of Cr (VI) and the synergistic oxidation of phenol. Appl Catal B-Environ 201:1–11

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu Q, Wang S, Zhang W, Zhan D, Li J (2018) Does foreign direct investment affect environmental pollution in China's cities? A spatial econometric perspective. Sci Total Environ 613:521–529

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mahallawy NE, Fathy A, Abdelaziem W, Hassan M (2015) Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of Al/Al-12%Si multilayer processed by accumulative roll bonding (ARB). Mater Sci Engineer A 647:127–135

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mano T, Nishimoto S, Kameshima Y, Miyake M (2015) Water treatment efficacy of various metal oxide semiconductors for photocatalytic ozonation under UV and visible light irradiation. Chem Engineer J 264:221–229

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ponder SM, Darab JG, Mallouk TE (2000) Remediation of Cr(VI) and Pb(II) aqueous solutions using supported, nanoscale zero-valent iron. Environ Sci Technol 34:2564–2569

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sahoo R, Roy A, Ray C, Mondal C, Negishi Y, Yusuf SM, Pal A, Pal T (2014) Decoration of Fe3O4 base material with Pd loaded CdS nanoparticle for superior photocatalytic efficiency. J Phys Chem C 118:11485–11494

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sheng G, Yang P, Tang Y, Hu QY, Ren XM, Wang XK, Huang YY (2016) New insights into the primary roles of diatomite in the enhanced sequestration of UO22+ by zerovalent iron nanoparticles: an advanced approach utilizing XPS and EXAFS. Appl Catal B Environ 193:189–197

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shi LN, Zhang X, Chen ZL (2011) Removal of chromium (VI) from wastewater using bentonite-supported nanoscale zero-valent iron. Water Res 45:886–892

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shi LN, Zhou Y, Chen Z, Megharaj M, Naidu R (2013) Simultaneous adsorption and degradation of Zn2+ and Cu2+ from wastewaters using nanoscale zero-valent iron impregnated with clays. Environ Sci Pollut R 20:3639–3648

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shi D, Zhang X, Wang J, Fan J (2018) Highly reactive and stable nanoscale zero-valent iron prepared within vesicles and its high-performance removal of water pollutants. Appl Catal B-Environ 221:610–617

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Srinivasu K, Modak B, Ghosh SK (2014) Porous graphitic carbon nitride: a possible metal-free photocatalyst for water splitting. J Phys Chem C 118:26479–26484

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sun J, Fan H, Nan B, Ai S (2014) Fe3O4@LDH@Ag/Ag3PO4 submicrosphere as a magnetically separable visible-light photocatalyst. Sep Purif Technol 130:84–90

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tada H, Jin Q, Nishijima H, Yamamoto H, Fujishima M, Okuoka S, Hattori T, Sumida Y, Kobayashi H (2011) Titanium(IV) dioxide surface-modified with iron oxide as a visible light photocatalyst. Angew Chem-Int Edit 50:3501–3505

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tan L, Lu S, Fang Z, Cheng W, Tsang EP (2017) Enhanced reductive debromination and subsequent oxidative ring-opening of decabromodiphenyl ether by integrated catalyst of nZVI supported on magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Appl Catal B-Environ 200:200–210

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tanna JA, Chaudhary RG, Juneja HD, Gandhare NV, Rai AR (2015) Histidine-capped ZnO nanoparticles: an efficient synthesis, spectral characterization and effective antibacterial activity. BioNanoSci 5:123–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wagih A, Fathy A (2018) Improving compressibility and thermal properties of Al-Al2O3, nanocomposites using Mg particles. J Mater Sci 53:11393–11402

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wagih A, Fathy A, Sebaey TA (2016) Experimental investigation on the compressibility of Al/Al2O3 nanocomposites. Inter J Mater Product Technolo 52:312–332

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wagih A, Fathy A, Ibrahim D, Elkady O, Hassan M (2018) Experimental investigation on strengthening mechanisms in Al-SiC nanocomposites and 3D FE simulation of Vickers indentation. J Alloys Compounds 752:137–147

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang D, Li Z, Shang L, Liu J, Shen J (2014) Heterostructured Ag3PO4/TiO2 film with high efficiency for degradation of methyl orange under visible light. Thin Solid Films 551:8–12

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang M, Cui S, Yang X, Bi W (2015) Synthesis of g-C3N4/Fe3O4 nanocomposites and application as a new sorbent for solid phase extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water samples. Talanta 132:922–928

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Hong M, Zhang F, Zhuang Z, Yu Y (2016) Recyclable nanoscale zero valent iron doped g-C3N4/MoS2 for efficient photocatalysis of RhB and Cr(VI) driven by visible light. ACS Sustain Chem Eng 4:4055–4062

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y, Cao J, Qin C, Zhang B, Sun G, Zhang Z (2017a) Synthesis and enhanced ethanol gas sensing properties of the g-C3N4 nanosheets-decorated tin oxide flower-like nanorods composite. Nanomaterials 7:285

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang K, Zhang G, Li J, Li Y, Wu X (2017b) 0D/2D Z-scheme heterojunctions of bismuth tantalate quantum dots/ultrathin g-C3N4 nanosheets for highly efficient visible light photocatalytic degradation of antibiotics. Acs Appl Mater Inter 9:43704–43715

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu Q, You R, Lv Q, Xu Y, You W, Yu Y (2015) Efficient simultaneous removal of Cu(II) and Cr2O7 2− from aqueous solution by a renewable amphoteric functionalized mesoporous silica. Chem Engineer J 281:491–501

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao Z, Zhang H, Xu Y, Yuan M, Jing X, Huang J, Li Q, Sun D (2017) Ultra-efficient removal of chromium from aqueous medium by biogenic iron based nanoparticles. Sep Purif Technol 174:466–473

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xue J, Ma S, Zhou Y, Wang Q (2015) Au-loaded porous graphitic C3N4/graphene layered composite as a ternary plasmonic photocatalyst and its visible-light photocatalytic performance. RSC Adv 5:88249–88257

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang J, Chen H, Gao J, Yan T, Zhou F, Cui S, Bi W (2016) Synthesis of Fe3O4/g-C3N4 nanocomposites and their application in the photodegradation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol under visible light. Mater Lett 164:183–189

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zeng B, Zhang L, Wan X, Song H, Lv Y (2015) Fabrication of alpha-Fe2O3/g-C3N4 composites for cataluminescence sensing of H2S. Sensor Actuat B-Chem 211:370–376

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang X, Lin S, Chen Z, Megharaj M, Naidu R (2011) Kaolinite-supported nanoscale zero-valent iron for removal of Pb2+ from aqueous solution: reactivity, characterization and mechanism. Water Res 45:3481–3488

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Y, Chen W, Dai C, Zhou C, Zhou X (2015) Structural evolution of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) in anoxic Co2+ solution: interactional performance and mechanism. Sci Rep 5:13966

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou J, Zhang M, Zhu Y (2014) Preparation of visible light-driven g-C3N4@ZnO hybrid photocatalyst via mechanochemistry. Phys Chem Chem Phys 16:17627–17633

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu H, Jia Y, Wu X, Wang H (2009) Removal of arsenic from water by supported nano zero-valent iron on activated carbon. J Hazard Mater 172:1591–1596

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu Z, Lu Z, Wang D, Tang X, Yan Y, Shi W, Wang Y, Gao N, Yao X, Dong H (2016) Construction of high-dispersed Ag/Fe3O4/g-C3N4 photocatalyst by selective photo-deposition and improved photocatalytic activity. Appl Catal B-Environ 182:115–122

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (nos. 51472050 and 51402295).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dai Lizong.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wang, X., Lizong, D. Well-dispersed zero-valent iron supported on Fe3O4/g-C3N4 composites via a facile approach with versatile photoredox catalysis. J Nanopart Res 20, 317 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-018-4401-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-018-4401-5

Keywords

Navigation