Ternary magnetic g-C₃N₄/Fe₃O₄/AgI nanocomposites: Novel recyclable photocatalysts with enhanced activity in degradation of different pollutants under visible light

In the present work, we illustrate the preparation of graphitic carbon nitride/magnetite/silver iodide (g-C₃N₄/Fe₃O₄/AgI) nanocomposites, as novel magnetically recyclable visible-light-driven photocatalysts. The nanocomposites were prepared by reflux method at 96 °C with no require to any additives or post preparation treatments. The resultant samples were characterized using XRD, EDX, SEM, TEM, FT-IR, UV–vis DRS, PL, TGA, and VSM techniques. Among the nanocomposites, the sample with 20 percent of AgI displayed superior activity. This nanocomposite exhibited superparamagnetic property with a saturation magnetization of 16.9 emu/g. Photocatalytic activity of the g-C₃N₄/Fe₃O₄/AgI (20%) nanocomposite was about 8.7 and 6.9 fold higher than those of the g-C₃N₄ and g-C₃N₄/Fe₃O₄ samples, respectively for degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under visible-light irradiation. Moreover, we investigated the influence of refluxing time, calcination temperature, and scavengers of the reactive species on the degradation activity. It was demonstrated that the ternary magnetic photocatalyst has considerable activity in degradation of two more dye pollutants. Besides, it was demonstrated that the ternary magnetic nanocomposite has reasonable stability during five recycling experiments. - Highlights: • Novel ternary g-C₃N₄/Fe₃O₄/AgI nanocomposites were prepared using a facile method. • g-C₃N₄/Fe₃O₄/AgI (20%) has the best activity in degradation of RhB under visible-light. • The activity is 8.7 and 6.9E-fold higher than g-C₃N₄ and g-C₃N₄/Fe₃O₄, respectively. • The nanocomposite showed enhance activity in degradation of two more pollutants.