Graphitic Carbon Nitride Microspheres Supported α-FeO(OH) Hybrids for Visible Light Photodegradation of MO

Graphitic carbon nitride(g-C 3 N 4 ) microspheres supported α-FeO(OH) hybrids[α-FeO(OH)/g-C 3 N 4 ] were prepared by means of a self-assembly method in deionized water. By UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, it has been confirmed that α-FeO(OH)/g-C 3 N 4 has a wider absorption range than g-C 3 N 4 . The feature of α-FeO(OH)/g-C 3 N 4 can be attributed to the efficient separation of the electron-hole pairs with photoluminescence spectra. The degradation rate of methyl orange(MO) is up to 99% under the optimal conditions of 110 min, initial concentration of 30 mg/L, an α-FeO(OH)/g-C 3 N 4 dosage of 15 mg as well as visible light. The mechanism for this photocatalytic reaction was proposed, with hydroxyl radicals being a major active catalytic species.