The construction of NiFeSx/g-C3N4 composites with high photocatalytic activity towards the degradation of refractory pollutants

Abstract

In this work, a novel NiFe layered double hydroxide–derived sulfide (NiFeS_x)-modified g-C₃N₄ nanosheet photocatalyst (NiFeS_x/g-C₃N₄) was synthesized, and its morphology, structure and visible light absorption capacity were simultaneously characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, FT-IR, XPS, UV-Vis DRS, PL techniques and EIS Nyquist plots. Furthermore, it was discovered that at an optimum mass ratio of 3% (NiFeS_x to g-C₃N₄), 3% NiFeS_x/g-C₃N₄ composites exhibited the best degradation efficiency toward tetracycline hydrochloride refractory pollutants. The degradation rate of tetracycline hydrochloride by 3% NiFeS_x/g-C₃N₄ composites was 92.54% under 70 min of visible light illumination, which was about 2.61 times higher than that of pure g-C₃N₄. The improved degradation activity may be attributed to the synergistic effect between the two constituents of as-synthesized composites, and the formed heterojunction reduced the efficiency of photogenerated carriers. More importantly, this work also gives some inspiration to synthesize some similar photocatalysts for a targeted environmental remediation.