Nitrogen Defects-Rich 0D/2D α-Fe2O3/g-C3N4 Z-Scheme Photocatalyst for Enhanced Photooxidation and H2 Evolution Efficiencies

Rational design and construction of Z-scheme photocatalysts have received much attention in the fields of organic pollutants degradation and H-2 evolution because of their potentials to solve the current environmental and energy crises. Herein, a novel nitrogen defects-rich 0D/2D alpha-Fe2O3/g-C3N4 Z-scheme photocatalyst was fabricated via a one-pot co-pyrolysis method. Quantum-sized alpha-Fe2O3 dots with a diameter of approximately 5 nm were uniformly distributed on the surface of 2D g-C3N4. Besides, the prepared 0D/2D alpha-Fe2O3/g-C3N4 composites exhibited excellent RhB degradation ability and simultaneous H-2 evolution efficiency. In comparison with 2D g-C3N4, the RhB degradation rate and H-2 evolution catalyzed by 0D/2D alpha-Fe2O3/g-C3N4 were enhanced 3.9 and 1.8 times, respectively. The improved photoredox activity was predominantly attributed to the formation of the nitrogen defects and a Z-scheme heterojunction. This study provides novel insights into the design and fabrication of nitrogen defects-rich g-C3N4-based Z-scheme photocatalysts for the simultaneous environmental purification and H-2 evolution.