The synergistic effect of Fe3O4/g-C3N4 for persulfate activation in sulfate radical photo-Fenton

Muhamad Diki Permana, Takahiro Takei, Anjuman Ara Khatun, Norio Saito, Diana Rakhmawaty Eddy, Nobuhiro Kumada
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2025.137110

Abstract

The Fe3O4/g-C3N4 composite has been successfully synthesized using coprecipitation method. The light absorption capabilities of g-C3N4 and Fe3O4 demonstrate synergistic effect in activating persulfate (PS). This synergistic effect occurs at Fe3O4 loading of 22–35 mass%, which has the effectiveness of hole-electron separation. The Fe−N coordination bonds were present, reflecting the interfacial chemical interactions between g-C3N4 and Fe3O4. The PS-activated Fe3O4/g-C3N4 system can completely degrade methyl orange (MO) in 15 min under visible light illumination (λ > 420 nm). Radical scavenging experiments show that SO4•−OH, O2−, and h+ play a role in the degradation of organic pollutants. Other organic pollutants, such as methylene bluerhodamine B, crystal violet, and phenol were also successfully degraded, indicating that this system has strong non-selective oxidative capabilities. Therefore, the Fe3O4/g-C3N4/PS system has high photocatalytic activity, high magnetic properties and stability, and potential for application in the water treatment of organic pollutants.

Keywords:

G-C3N4; Fe3O4 ; Sulfate radical; Photo-Fenton; Synergistic effect