Fabrication of ZnFe2O4@g-C3N4 for Enhanced Photo-Fenton Effect and Visible Light-Driven Organic Dye Degradation

Abstract A magnetically recoverable ZnFe₂O₄@g-C₃N₄ heterostructure was synthesized by anchoring ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles onto a mesoporous g-C₃N₄ framework. The composite was systematically characterized via XRD, SEM, TEM, and UV-Vis spectroscopy, confirming the successful formation of a porous multilayer structure with uniformly dispersed ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles on g-C₃N₄. BET analysis validated the mesoporous architecture, while TEM revealed an intimate heterojunction interface between ZnFe₂O₄ and g-C₃N₄, crucial for efficient charge carrier separation. The composite demonstrated exceptional photocatalytic activity under visible light, achieving complete degradation of methylene blue (MB) via synergistic effects of enhanced light absorption, interfacial charge transfer, and high surface area. Notably, the magnetic ZnFe₂O₄ component enabled facile recovery and reuse of the catalyst using external magnetic fields, with retained catalytic efficiency over multiple cycles. This work highlights the ZnFe₂O₄@g-C₃N₄ heterojunction as a durable, recyclable photocatalyst with significant potential for sustainable environmental remediation applications.