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The graphite-phase carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4) photocatalytic materials were prepared by one-step calcination method to degrade methylene blue (MB) and potassium butyl xanthate (PBX) under visible light irradiation. The prepared g-C 3 N 4 photocatalytic materials were investigated in detail by various characterizations, and the experiments showed that the graphitic phase carbon nitride photocatalytic materials were successfully prepared by the one-step calcination method. The material possesses excellent optical properties and strong visible light absorption, thus achieving photocatalytic degradation of MB and PBX. The catalyst dosage, pH, the initial concentration of pollutants have important effects on photocatalytic activity of MB and PBX. The photocatalytic degradation efficiency was 98.99% for MB and 96.83% for PBX under the optimal conditions (catalyst dosage, initial pollutant concentration and pH value were 500 mg L−1, 20 mg L−1 and 7, respevtively). The photocatalytic mechanisms on MB and PBX were elucidated. ·OH was the key specie for MB, while ·O 2 − was the key specie for PBX. This study advances the development of photocatalytic technology for mineral wastewater. [Display omitted] • g-C 3 N 4 photocatalyst was prepared by pyrolysis. • The separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs lead to high efficiency. • Superoxide radicals and hydroxyl radicals are the main reactive groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]