TiO2-CeO2/g-C3N4 S-scheme heterostructure composite for enhanced photo-degradation and hydrogen evolution performance with combined experimental and DFT study. (February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vignesh, Shanmugam; Chandrasekaran, Sharmila; Srinivasan, Manickam; Anbarasan, Radhakrishnan; Perumalsamy, Ramasamy; Arumugam, Elangovan; Shkir, Mohd; Algarni, H.; AlFaify, S.
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 288:Part 3(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-02
• Subjects: Photocatalyst -- Dye degradation -- H2 evolution -- Recycling stability -- DFT calculation; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132611
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: The g-C3 N4 /TiO2 nanocomposites (NCs) are fabricated by optimization of calcination and subsequent hydrothermal technique decorated with CeO2 nanoparticles (NPs) to build the g-C3 N4 /TiO2 –CeO2 hybrid NCs. The chemical and surface characterizations of structural, morphological, elemental composition, optical, photo-degradation, HER performance and the DFT computation has been efficiently analyzed. The g-C3 N4 /TiO2 –CeO2 composite photocatalysts (PCs) exhibit photocatalytic improved performance (∼97 %) for MB aqueous dye related to pristine g-C3 N4 and g-C3 N4 /TiO2 composite PCs. The obtained k value of the g-C3 N4 /TiO2 /CeO2 heterostructure composite PCs has around 0.0262 min −1 and 6.1, 2.6 and 1.5 times higher than to g-C3 N4 (0.0043 min −1 ), g-C3 N4 /CeO2 (0.0099 min −1 ) and g-C3 N4 /TiO2 (0.0180 min −1 ) PCs respectively. Likewise, the synergistic probable S-scheme charge separation mechanism based on scavengers' tests and other values, which leads to effective separation of photo-excited (e − -h + ) pairs, whereas high degradation and more H2 O molecules have photo-reduction to H2 . The H2 evolution reaction (HER) and the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of the as-obtained samples were explored via electrochemical study. This exertion recommends that the rational strategy and building of g-C3 N4 /TiO2 –CeO2 nano-heterostructures were beneficial for developing visible-light-driven recyclable PCs for ecological refinement. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: CeO2 coupled g-C3 N4 /TiO2 photocatalyst was effectively prepared by a facile method. Optimum degradation efficiency was 6.1 times higher than g-C3 N4 under visible-light. XPS and DFT study ensues a strong interface among Ti, Ce and O atoms into g-C3 N4 . g-C3 N4 /TiO2 /CeO2 S-scheme heterostructure exposed superior H2 production activity. Also, good reusability for organic dye degradation and efficient HER performance.