A novel core-shell structured α-Fe2O3/Cu/g-C3N4 nanocomposite for continuous photocatalytic removal of air ethylbenzene under visible light irradiation

Abstract In this study, a novel α-Fe2O3/Cu/g-C3N4 nanocomposite was prepared via a simple and facile procedure. A continuous flow reactor of gaseous ethylbenzene was used to assess the photocatalytic performance of the synthesized catalysts. The results of XRD, FT-IR, SEM-EDS, and elemental mapping indicated that the g-C3N4 shells were successfully coated on the surface of Cu-deposited α-Fe2O3 nanospheres. Compared to the pure g-C3N4 and α-Fe2O3, and as well as α-Fe2O3/g-C3N4, a higher specific surface area, lower recombination of charge carriers, and also a well visible light absorption were observed for α-Fe2O3/Cu/g-C3N4 nanocomposite, by using N2 adsorption-desorption, PL, DRS techniques. Accordingly, this composite provided a remarkably increased photocatalytic performance and stability for the removal of air ethylbenzene, through an efficient Z-scheme mechanism. These improvements can be originated from a well-designed core-shell structure. Moreover, no organic byproducts were found at the outlet of the reactor and carbon dioxide was the only inorganic product of ethylbenzene photocatalytic degradation. This work showed that the α-Fe2O3/Cu/g-C3N4 nanocomposite is promising in the removal of air ethylbenzene.