Direct Z-scheme GdFeO3/g-C3N4 heterostructures with outstanding photocatalytic activity

The step-scheme GdFeO3/g-C3N4 photocatalysts without any mediators were obtained using an ultrasonic synthetic approach. The microstructures, elemental composition and morphologies, as well as optical, electrochemical and catalytic properties, were thoroughly analyzed. The GdFeO3/g-C3N4-3:7 composite exhibited an excellent enhanced light-harvesting ability and a low charge recombination, resulting into an outstanding visible-light-driven activity, 7.7 and 2.3 times higher than that of pristine g-C3N4 and GdFeO3, respectively. A mechanism responsible for the enhancement of the photocatalytic property was proposed. The stability and reusability of the GdFeO3/g-C3N4 composites make them promising materials for practical applications related to the removal of organic pollutants from wastewater.