Boosting photocatalytic degradation of RhB via interfacial electronic effects between Fe-based ionic liquid and g-C3N4

The Fe-based ionic liquid doped g-C3N4 (FeCN) photocatalyst was firstly prepared base on ultrathin g-C3N4 obtained by multiple calcination method with a metal-based reactive ionic liquid [Omim]FeCl4 for the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB). Experimental results revealed that Fe3+ species were doped into the framework of g-C3N4. The effect of the amount of Fe-doping on the catalytic activity was performed. The result showed that the FeCN could effectively degrade RhB under the condition of visible light irradiation. The photocurrent analysis showed that the incorporation of Fe3+ into g-C3N4 material could accelerate the separation of the photogenerated carriers significantly. At the same time, the reactive species generated during the photodegradation process were tested by radicals trapping experiments and electron spin resonance (ESR). It was proposed that the synergistic effect of O2•− and ·OH contributed to degrade RhB efficiently. Keywords: g-C3N4, [Omim]FeCl4, Photocatalytic, Visible light, Active specie