The coordination bond reinforced FeOCl/C3N4 heterostructure for photocatalytic degradation of persistent organic pollutants

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) present a substantial environmental challenge due to their enduring nature and adverse effects on human health. The exploration of photocatalysts featuring abundant active sites and appropriate band structures represents a promising approach for harnessing solar energy in photo-self-Fenton reactions for pollutant oxidation. In this investigation, a two-dimensional S-scheme FeOCl/C 3 N 4 heterostructure was fabricated for the degradation of POPs. The coordination between dangling nitrogen atoms in C 3 N 4 and Fe 3+ in FeOCl established a novel pathway for the transfer of photogenerated electrons, thereby prolonging their lifespan by mitigating recombination events. Assessment of the photocatalytic performance using 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) as a model pollutant revealed a 5.4-fold and 40-fold enhancement in degradation rate over FeOCl/C 3 N 4 compared to individual catalysts. Notably, nearly complete mineralization rates were achievable with FeOCl/C 3 N 4 , underscoring its robustness. Mechanistic investigations delineated hydroxyl radicals (•OH) as the primary active species responsible for pollutant degradation.