High Performance Magnetically Separable G-C3N4/γ-Fe2O3/TiO2 Nanocomposite with Boosted Photocatalytic Capability towards the Cefixime Trihydrate Degradation under Visible-Light

Abstract

A magnetically separable g‐C3N4/γ‐Fe2O3/TiO2 nanocomposite is synthesized as an intensely effectual visible‐light‐driven photocatalyst. It is fully characterized by FT‐IR, XPS, XRD, VSM, DRS, SEM, TEM, BET, EDS, and elemental mapping techniques. Based on the Tauc plot of (αhν)2 vs. hυ, the value of band gap energy for g‐C3N4/γ‐Fe2O3/TiO2 is estimated to be 2.6 eV, which proves the high capability of the catalyst to enhance the photoinduced electron‐holes separation and improves its visible‐light photocatalytic performance. The high photocatalytic activity of this catalyst towards the cefixime trihydrate (CEF) degradation, under visible‐light radiation can be ascribed to the synergistic optical effects between g‐C3N4, γ‐Fe2O3, and TiO2. Using central composite design (CCD) based on response surface methodology (RSM), the maximum degradation efficiency of about 98 % was obtained at the optimal conditions comprising the CEF amount of 20 mg/L, photocatalyst value of 0.04 g/L, irradiation intensity of 9 W/m2, and pH of 5.5, at 90 min. Utilizing an innocuous visible‐light source, almost complete mineralization of CEF (based on TOC analysis), using a very low amount of photocatalyst, applying air as the oxidant, and convenient magnetic separation of the catalyst from the reaction media and its ease of recycling for at least seven consecutive runs are the major highlights of this protocol.