2D Co–Bi Oxide/g-C₃N₄ Heterolayer for H₂ Production and Pollutant Degradation

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have received increased recognition for their utility in photocatalytic applications due to their large surface area, which increases the total number of active sites for reaction. In this work, we explore the enhancement of photocatalytic abilities for generating hydrogen and breaking down organic pollutants by strategically creating a 2D/2D Z-scheme interface between graphite-like carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) and cobalt bismuth oxide (CBO). The synthesized nanocomposite exhibits exceptional performance, surpassing the pristine materials. The successful formation of the nanocomposite was confirmed through characterization techniques such as XRD, FTIR, XPS, and SEM/ TEM. The nanocomposite demonstrates improved optical characteristics, decreased rates of recombination, and enhanced mechanisms of charge transfer. The Co 2+ /Co 3+ present in CBO acts as the moderator for the e − from CBO and the h + from g-C 3 N 4 to recombine, which is confirmed by the XPS of the reused catalyst. The study shows that 7 wt % CBO/g-C 3 N 4 displayed peak photocatalytic performance for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) (93.8%, 150 min) under a 50 W LED and hydrogen production (676.89 μmol h −1 g −1 ) under direct solar irradiation and excellent stability. This study provides valuable insights into the development of effective and versatile photocatalysts for sustainable energy and environmental remediation.