Fabrication of TiO2/Fe2O3/g-C3N4 ternary photocatalyst via a low-temperature calcination and solvothermal route and its visible light assisted photocatalytic properties.

• A facile approach is exploited to modify the crystallinity and surface properties of TiO 2. • The solvothermal route is used to incorporate TiO 2 into Fe 2 O 3 QDs/g-C 3 N 4 , resulting in the formation of surface flaws, lattice oxygen-activated regions, and an indirect z-scheme system through the adjustment of band alignment. • The electron-hole pair is efficiently separated, conserving the electron reduction capability and the electron oxidation capability of the hole. • Major active species for the photocatalytic degradation identified as the h + and •O 2 −. This study reported the fabrication of TiO 2 /Fe 2 O 3 /g-C 3 N 4 ternary Z-scheme photocatalyst via low-temperature calcination followed by a nonaqueous route with tunable particle size and strong interfacial contact. The subsequent Fe 2 O 3 /g-C 3 N 4 and TiO 2 /Fe 2 O 3 /g-C 3 N 4 were investigated in terms of structure, morphology, optical properties, and surface chemical composition analysis via transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), UV–visible spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). The crystalline nature of the samples was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and HRTEM. Under visible light, the photocatalytic capabilities of as-fabricated TiO 2 /Fe 2 O 3 /g-C 3 N 4 were examined by degrading Rhodamine B (RhB), and an enhancement in photocatalytic efficacy was found. TiO 2 works as a primary photosensitizer, providing extra photoinduced electrons, while Fe 2 O 3 acts as a "bridge" for electron transport from the TiO 2 moiety to the g-C 3 N 4 thereby establishing an indirect charge transport pathway based on the Z-scheme. Radical scavenging tests were conducted to further explore the cause of increased activity and degradation mechanisms. The proposed technique might be a viable option for the removal of rhodamine b compounds and remedying freshwater reservoirs. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]