A novel Z-scheme g- C3N4/LaCoO3 heterojunction with enhanced photocatalytic activity in degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride.

Abstract A novel Z -scheme g-C 3 N 4 /LaCoO 3 photocatalyst was prepared by a facial mixing-heating and precipitation method. Doping g-C 3 N 4 on LaCoO 3 , the heterojunction exhibits excellent photocatalytic performance and stability compared with bare LaCoO 3 in the degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC). The enhanced photocatalytic activity are attributed to the high separation efficiency of electron-hole pairs by the formation of Z -scheme heterojunction structure. The photocatalytic degradation rate of TC is up to 92% and the kinetic rate constant (k) of the optimal g-C 3 N 4 /LaCoO 3 composite is about 14.5 times and 2.3 times of that of bare LaCoO 3 and g-C 3 N 4 , respectively. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • A novel Z-scheme g-C 3 N 4 /LaCoO 3 heterojunction photocatalyst was prepared. • High efficiency in tetracycline hydrochloride photocatalytic degradation. • Higher degradation kinetic constant (14.5 times than pure LaCoO 3) of the composite. • The photocatalytic mechanism of Z-scheme g-C 3 N 4 /LaCoO 3 heterojunction was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]