NaCl-assisted synthesis of Fe2+ self-doped Fe2O3/C3N4 nanosheets as efficient Fenton catalyst

To develop high-activity heterogeneous Fenton catalysts used under mild conditions, the Fe2+ self-doped Fe2O3/C3N4 nanosheet has been successfully synthesized by a NaCl-assisted templating method. The FexO3/C3N4 nanosheet shows excellent photo-Fenton catalytic performance for phenol degradation. The degradation constant of the FexO3/C3N4 is 13.3 times, 26.1 times and 15.9 times that of Fe2O3/C3N4, carbon nitride and α-Fe2O3, respectively. The Fe2+ in FexO3/C3N4 nanosheet contributes the most to the improved Fenton catalytic activity, boosting the production of the ·OH radicals. The work provides a promising way for building highly efficient Fenton catalyst with novel structure.