Ternary assembly of g-C3N4/graphene oxide sheets /BiFeO3 heterojunction with enhanced photoreduction of Cr(VI) under visible-light irradiation.

Abstract A novel ternary composite of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4)/graphene oxide (GO) sheets/BiFeO 3 (CNGB) with highly enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity toward Cr(VI) photoreduction is prepared and characterized. The characterization and photocatalysis experiments corroborate its reasonable band gap, efficient charge separation and transfer, widened visible-light adsorption, easy solid-liquid separation, good stability and superior catalytic activity of CNGB. Three CNGB samples with different ratios of g-C 3 N 4 and BiFeO 3 (CNGB-1, -2, -3 with 2:4, 3:3, and 4:2, respectively), though possessing different adsorption ability, eventually remove all Cr(VI) ions via photocatalysis within 90 min. The catalytic efficiency of the composite is the highest at pH 2; increases in pH decrease the catalytic ability. The inorganic anions such as SO 4 −, Cl−, and NO 3 − only slightly affects the photocatalytic process. The matching of the band structure between BiFeO 3 and g-C 3 N 4 generates efficient photogenerated electron migration from the conduction band of g-C 3 N 4 to that of BiFeO 3 , which is also facilitated by the electron bridging and collecting effects of GO, and holes transfer from the valence band of BiFeO 3 to that of g-C 3 N 4 , yielding the efficient separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs and the subsequent enhancement of photocatalytic activity. The research provides a theoretical basis and technical support for the development of photocatalytic technologies for effective application in wastewater treatment and Cr-contaminated water restoration. Highlights • g-C 3 N 4 /graphene oxide/BiFeO 3 (CNGB) ternary assembly is easily prepared. • CNGB shows excellent photocatalysis of Cr (Ⅵ) reduction and easy removal from water. • CNGB shows maximized efficiency at low pH. • CNGB have little chance of electron-hole recombination. • CNGB shows great visible-light response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]