ABSTRACT
A novel g-C3N4/ZnO-TiO2 nanocomposite was prepared by facile calcination and hydrothermal assisted route to boost the photocatalytic efficiency of g-C3N4. The structural, morphology and optical properties of as-obtained nanocomposites (NCs) were examined by various physicochemical methods such as XRD, FT-IR, FESEM-EDX, HR-TEM, UV-DRS and PL spectra relatively. The as-obtained g-C3N4/ZnO-TiO2 heterojunction NCs displays an optimum efficiency (93.6%) and high photo-degradation rate constant towards the photo-degradation of RhB dye in 75 min under visible-light exposure. Likewise, the synergistic effects on heterostructure strong-coupling interfaces assembly of g-C3N4 and TiO2/ZnO NPs, which facilitates the excellent photo-excited charge separation efficiency, suppressing the recombination rate and also widening the visible-light fascination ability. Hence, the resulting in a prolonged lifetime leading to continuous generation of h+ and •OH− species which were eventually improved the photo-degradation process. Also, the as-obtained hybrid g-C3N4/ZnO-TiO2 photocatalysts (PCs) revealed superior recycling stability. Moreover, a probable photocatalytic reaction mechanism of the novel PCs was also suggested.
Acknowledgments
The author would gratefully acknowledge the DST-INSPIRE division for providing the INSPIRE fellowship (IF150961). The authors would like to express their gratitude to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia for funding this work through Research Groups Program under grant No. R.G.P/2/110/42.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Declaration
The authors have declared no conflict of interest.