One-step hydrothermal synthesis of Fe3O4/g-C3N4 nanocomposites with improved photocatalytic activities

The nanocomposites of g-C 3 N 4 supported by Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 /g-C 3 N 4 ) have been fabricated through a simple hydrothermal route in a water–ethanol system. The nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. The results showed that g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets were decorated randomly by Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles with average diameters of 7 nm. The photocatalytic activities were evaluated in terms of the efficiencies of photodecomposition of Rhodamine B in aqueous solution under visible light illumination. The as-synthesized Fe 3 O 4 /g-C 3 N 4 nanocomposites showed unprecedented photodecomposition efficiency compared with pure g-C 3 N 4 under visible-light. The Fe 3 O 4 /g-C 3 N 4 nanocomposites with improved photocatalytic activities would have a great potential in removing organic dyes from polluted water.