Improved Photocatalytic Activity of g‐C₃N₄/ZnO: A Potential Direct Z‐Scheme Nanocomposite

Abstract

In this study, a Z-scheme g-C 3 N 4 /ZnO nanocomposite was synthesized using exfoliation process, which was further characterized using XRD, FT-IR, UV-DRS, SEM-EDAX, PL, EIS, and TGA techniques. The properties of g-C 3 N 4 were enhanced when fabricated with ZnO resulting in a better electron mobility, high redox potential, and excellent semiconducting properties. The performance of this heterostructure was evaluated by photo-catalytic degradation of malachite green (MG) under visible light irradiation. The g-C 3 N 4 /ZnO heterostructure achieved a degradation of 84.3 % within 60 min under visible light irradiation. The degradation reaction follows a pseudo firstorder kinetic model with a reaction rate constant of 0.0329 min À 1. The nanocomposite demonstrated outstanding stability and recyclability.

A Comprehensive Review of Graphitic Carbon Nitride (g-C3N4)–Metal Oxide-Based Nanocomposites: Potential for Photocatalysis and Sensing

“…To be more specific, the smaller arc radius leads to the lower charge transfer resistance, resulting in the improved photogenerated transformation at the interface. PL spectra announce the photocurrent recombination, separation, and migration rate [160]. The ZnO PL emission wavelengths under the excitation wavelength of 350 nm were low-intensity emissions at 445 nm and 600 nm with low intensity.…”

“…Introducing the ZnO to the g-C 3 N 4 is proved that this structure can enhance photocatalytic performance such as charge transfer and separation and decrease the photogenerated carriers' recombination (Figure 13a) [159][160][161][162][163]. In recent years, several types of research have been worked on the characterization of these heterojunctions.…”

“…It was also revealed that the g-C 3 N 4 -ZnO produced the most photocurrent density compared to the bare ZnO and g-C 3 N 4 , showing excellent charge transfer and separation. The charge transfer resistance is depicted in Figure 13f, shown impedance spectroscopy (EIS) Nyquist plots [160]. The arc radius in EIS spectra corresponds to the resistance of the interface layer at the photocatalyst surface.…”

Recent Progress on Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting of Graphitic Carbon Nitride (g−CN) Electrodes

“…The solid electron mediator includes reduced graphene oxide [151,152] and noble-metal nanoparticles such as Au [153,154], Ag [155][156][157] and Cd [158], etc. For the former [159][160][161], the electron in the CB of semiconductor B directly transfers to the VB of semiconductor A, leading to the valid separation of the electrons in the CB of semiconductor A and the holes in semiconductor B. While for the latter, a conductor acts as an electron mediator and can facilitate the electron migration from semiconductor B to semiconductor A [162].…”

Tuning the structural, magnetic, and optical properties of ZnO/NiFe2O4 heterojunction photocatalyst for simultaneous photodegradation of Rhodamine B and Methylene Blue under natural sunlight

“…Environmental degradation is a common outcome of unregulated industrial development. Certain industrial facilities would discharge organic compounds into the environment in the form of dyes and oily liquids [1]. The textile and dyeing industries make use of large amounts of water and are among the most water-consuming industries in existence.…”