Synthesis of N-Doped Magnetic WO_3–<i>x</i>@Mesoporous Carbon Using a Diatom Template and Plasma Modification: Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Activities

Synthesis of three-dimensional photocatalysts offers great potential for chemical conversion and hydrogen generation as appropriate solutions environmental protection energy shortage challenges. In this study, the magnetic WO3–x@mesoporous carbon (M-WO3–x@MC) was synthesized through evaporation-induced self-assembly method applying diatom frustules a natural template. Then, plasma modification used to prepare N-doped M-WO3–x@MC (NM-WO3–x@MC) with enhanced photocatalytic activity durable performance. The WO3–x embedded in conductive MC, which also partially reduced by precursor within heat-treatment procedure. obtained treated under an N2 atmosphere production final photocatalyst containing both MC. As result, NM-WO3–x@MC had larger surface area (208.4 m2 g–1), narrower band gap (2.3 eV), more visible light harvesting, confined electron–hole pairs recombination. H2 rates net WO3 nanorods nanocomposite were estimated 532 2765 μmol g–1 h–1, respectively. Additionally, than 90% antibiotics (cephalexin, cefazolin cephradine) degradation 76% total organic elimination after 120 240 min process irradiation. Eventually, eight intermediates detected each antibiotic using gas chromatography–mass spectrometer method, based on results, possible pathways suggested.