Facile Fabrication of Fe_2O_3/Nitrogen Deficient g-C_3N_(4-x) Composite Catalysts with Enhanced Photocatalytic Performances

The modification of graphitic carbon nitride can significantly improve the photocatalytic performance of graphitic carbon nitride(g-C_3N_4). Fe_2O_3/nitrogen-deficient g-C_3N_(4-x) composite catalysts were prepared with dicyandiamide as the precursor and Fe~(3+) doped in this study. The composite catalysts were characterized by XRD, SEM, FT-IR, XPS and photocurrent measurements. Close interaction occurred between Fe_2O_3 and nitrogen deficient g-C_3N_(4-x), more photogenerated electrons were created and effectively separated from the holes, resulting in a decrease of photocarrier recombination, and thus enhancing the photocurrent. Photocatalytic performance experiments showed that Fe_2O_3/nitrogen deficient g-C_3N_(4-x) could utilize lowenergy visible light more efficiently than pure g-C_3N_4, and the removal rate was 92% in 60 minutes.