Efficient chemical synthesis of g–C3N4–Fe2O3 nanocomposites as a photocatalyst for superior photocatalytic degradation

Abstract

In this study, we report the development of the most economical synthesis route for magnetically separable graphitic carbon nitride with iron oxide (g–C₃N₄–Fe₂O₃) photocatalyst using an iron-rich natural laterite soil sample as a readily available and cost-effective iron precursor. A simple chemical acid extraction method used to synthesize Fe₂O₃ from a laterite soil sample as an iron precursor naturally found in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, India. Additionally, to enhance the photocatalytic activity of the pure Fe₂O₃, we have incorporated it with the g–C₃N₄, and the resultant material shows superior performance. The structural and optical properties of the resulting Fe₂O₃, g–C₃N₄, and g–C₃N₄–Fe₂O₃ nanocomposite were thoroughly characterized using physio-chemical methods. The characterization results successfully established heterojunction between g–C₃N₄ and Fe₂O₃, improving the photogenerated electron–hole pair lifetime. The g–C₃N₄–Fe₂O₃ nanocomposite demonstrated enhanced photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methyl orange (97.66%) and textile effluent (97.00%) under natural sunlight with excellent photocatalytic stability after five consecutive cycles. These results highlight a new way of large-scale synthesis of iron-based nanocomposite photocatalyst using laterite soil as an inexpensive iron precursor.