G-C3N4/TiO2/CuO S-scheme heterostructure photocatalysts for enhancing organic pollutant degradation. (February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rajendran, Renji; Vignesh, Shanmugam; Suganthi, Sanjeevamuthu; Raj, Vairamuthu; Kavitha, G.; Palanivel, Baskaran; Shkir, Mohd; Algarni, H.
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics and chemistry of solids. Volume 161(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-02
• Subjects: G-C3N4/TiO2/CuO -- Nanocomposite -- Photocatalysts -- Dye degradation -- Reusability; Solids -- Periodicals; Solides -- Périodiques; Solids; Periodicals; 530.41
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpcs.2021.110391
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3697

Abstract

Abstract: The photocatalytic degradation of organic impurities is a promising eco-friendly system for wastewater treatment. Herein, the CuO coupled g-C3 N4 /TiO2 ternary heterostructure nanocomposites (NCs) were effectively synthesized by facile hydrothermal strategy. The powder XRD, FT-IR, HR-TEM, FE-SEM with EDX, high-resolution XPS, UV–Vis DRS, BET and PL spectra analyses confirm the effective construction of g-C3 N4 /TiO2 /CuO heterostructure composite photocatalysts (PCs). The g-C3 N4 /TiO2 /CuO composite PCs displays photocatalytic enhanced performance for rhodamine B (RhB) dye decomposition than to pristine g-C3 N4 PCs under simulated sunlight exposure. At optimum photocatalytic test conditions, the RhB dye was degraded (∼90.3%) within 120 min of light irradiation. No noticeable loss of photo-activity appeared after the five-succeeding recycle test. Moreover, the proposed S-scheme charge transfer mechanism based on scavenger's tests, the photocatalytic enhanced performance of optimum g-C3 N4 /TiO2 /CuO composite PCs is ascribed to the synergistic close interfacial contact, wide visible-light fascination, improved charge separation rate and actively inhibited the recombination rates of efficient e − /h + pairs relatively. Highlights: Ternary g-C3 N4 /TiO2 –CuO composite was prepared by facile hydrothermal strategy. Enhanced photocatalytic performance of (90.3%) RhB dye degradation in 120 min. The rate constant of g-C3 N4 /TiO2 –CuO composite was 4.52 folds superior to g-C3 N4 . Also, the O2 − and few photo-h + were played a reactive species in the photoreaction. No obvious loss of catalytic activity appeared after the five succeeding recycle test.