Preparation of Fe 2 O 3 /g-C 3 N 4 Photocatalysts and the Degradation Mechanism of NOR in Water under Visible Light Irradiation.

Fe₂O₃/g-C₃N₄ nano-heterostructures for photocatalytic degradation of NOR (norfloxacin) were successfully prepared by combining co-precipitation and calcination methods. The g-C₃N₄, Fe₂O₃, and different composite ratios of Fe₂O₃/g-C₃N₄ (FeCNs) were characterized by XRD, SEM, XPS, UV-vis DRS, PL, and electrochemical tests, and the mechanism of photocatalytic degradation of NOR was analyzed. The results indicated that the semiconductor was attached to the surface of g-C₃N₄ in the form of α-Fe₂O₃ crystal with good crystalline structure. The composite of Fe₂O₃ with g-C₃N₄ increased the specific surface area of the material, effectively reduced the band gap, strengthened the photogenerated e⁻/h⁺ pair separation, and improved the photocatalytic performance of the composite. The photocatalytic degradation of NOR was consistent with the quasi-primary reaction kinetic model. Among them, FeCN-25wt% showed the optimal photocatalytic degradation of NOR (72.3%) with the largest degradation rate (k = 0.00900 min⁻¹). The Fe₂O₃/g-C₃N₄ composite structure is inferred to be a Z-type heterojunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]