SYNTHESIS OF IRON-ENRICHED g-C3N4: A SUPERIOR PHOTOCATALYST FOR EFFECTIVE DEGRADATION OF DYES USING VISIBLE LIGHT

Abstract

Non-precious transition metals are introduced for doping, utilizing visible light and thus eliminating the costs associated with UV light generation. In this investigation, we synthesized graphitic carbon nitride doped with three metals (Iron, Nickel, and Cobalt) and evaluated their effects on various parameters compared to pure graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4). Among these metals, iron exhibited the most significant changes in dye removal properties. Both pure g-C3N4 and doped g-C3N4 were prepared using the thermal polymerization technique, and the results were compared among Iron (Fe), Cobalt (Co), Nickel (Ni), and pure g-C3N4. Their optical properties were examined using UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS) techniques, and elemental changes were analyzed using Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy for all four materials. Surface areas, adsorbate volumes, and pore volumes of g-C3N4 and iron-doped g-C3N4 were determined using BET studies. Additionally, alterations in properties were assessed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The photocatalytic activity of the catalysts mentioned above was evaluated by degrading the hazardous dye Congo Red (CR) under direct sunlight. Fe-doped g-C3N4 exhibited the most promising results at a 0.5 mg/L catalyst dose. Furthermore, the rate order was calculated, confirming it to be a pseudo-first-order (PFO) reaction.