Microwave-assisted preparation of Z scheme heterojunction by anchoring ZnFe₂O₄ on tubular-like g-C₃N₄ for peroxymonosulfate activation towards levofloxacin degradation

Abstract

It is still challenging for exploring high-active photocatalysts to efficiently remove Levofloxacin (LFX) by activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS). Herein, we constructed a novel Z scheme ZnFe₂O₄/g-C₃N₄/CQDs (ZCC) heterojunction by anchoring ZnFe₂O₄ on tubular-like g-C₃N₄ induced by CQDs (denoted as CNC) using microwave-assisted thermal methods. The ZCC exhibits the highest photocatalytic activity in activating PMS for LFX degradation, endowing a removal rate ∼95.3%, which is 4.8 and 7.3 times higher than that of pure ZnFe₂O₄ (19.8%) and g-C₃N₄ (13.1%), separately. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of ZCC can be attributed to the distinctive morphology of CNC, enhanced light response, increased specific surface area and abundant pore structure. Besides, the formed Z scheme heterojunction and CQDs acting as a transmission bridge of the photogenerated charges (e⁻ and h⁺) can accelerate transfer and inhibit recombination of e⁻ and h⁺. Radical capture experiments and electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements revealed that SO₄^•− and O₂^•− play a predominant role in degradation process of LFX. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was applied to identify intermediates and propose feasible degradation pathways of LFX. In conclusion, this study presents a promising strategy for regulating the photocatalytic activity of g-C₃N₄ by simultaneously integrating CQDs induction and Z scheme heterojunction construction.

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