Facile construction of a novel NiFe2O4@P-doped g-C3N4 nanocomposite with enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity

Abstract

Construction of a Z-scheme-based photocatalyst, i.e., NiFe₂O₄@P–g-C₃N₄ nanocomposite, was successfully fabricated by coupling phosphorus-doped g-C₃N₄ with spinel structure NiFe₂O₄. The structural, morphological, and spectroscopic data of the as-synthesized photocatalyst was successfully characterized through XRD, FTIR, SEM, TEM, UV-Vis DRS, PL, and XPS techniques. It was found that NiFe₂O₄@P–g-C₃N₄ had an increased light-absorption capacity, high exciton separation, low photogenerated electron–hole recombination, and showed better photocatalytic activity toward phenol oxidation and hydrogen energy production than the neat materials. Photocatalytic phenol oxidation by 20 wt% NFO@P–CN was also superior and could achieve a 96% conversion, which was 2 and 3 times higher than that by P–CN and NFO, respectively. The 20 wt% NFO@P–CN showed excellent photostability and was able to evolve 904 μmol h⁻¹ H₂ under visible-light irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of NiFe₂O₄@P–g-C₃N₄ was in good agreement with the photocurrent results. The synergistic effect between P–CN and NFO could accelerate photogenerated charge separation and, moreover, the distinctive magnetism of NiFe₂O₄@P–g-C₃N₄ aided the collection and recycling of the photocatalyst.