Efficient solar-light induced photocatalytic capacity of Mg-Al LDO coupled with N-defected g-C3N4.

[Display omitted] • Mg-Al LDO with N-defected g-C 3 N 4 extended solar-light absorption capacity. • N-defected g-C 3 N 4 enhanced the photocatalytic activity of Mg-Al LDO. • The junction favored the transfer and separation of charge carriers. To enhance the photocatalytic activity of Mg-Al layered double oxide (LDO) for solar-light excited RhB removal, Mg-Al LDO coupling with N-defected g-C 3 N 4 (Mg-Al@CN) composites were prepared using Mg-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) and melamine as raw materials. Compared with Mg-Al LDO, Mg-Al@CN exhibited the better adsorption and photocatalytic capacity of RhB due to the combined effect between Mg-Al LDO and g-C 3 N 4. The removal efficiency of RhB over optimal Mg-Al@CN-3 was 91.12% of 60 mg L-1 RhB solution within 120 min, and decreased to 86.11% after five cycles. The enhanced photocatalytic performance of Mg-Al@CN for RhB removal was due to the narrow band-gap structure, extending visible-light capture, and efficient transfer and separation of photo-generated carriers. •O 2 − radical was vital for the Mg-Al@CN assisted photocatalytic reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]