Synthesis of g‐C₃N₄, Zn₃(PO₄)₂ and g‐C₃N₄/Zn₃(PO₄)₂ Composites for Application in Photodegradation of Crystal Violet Dye under Solar Light

Abstract

The g-C 3 N 4 /Zn 3 (PO 4 ) 2 composites were synthesized in the aqueous medium via chemical precipitation route. The photocatalytic activity of these photocatalysts was evaluated for the degradation of aqueous crystal violet (CV) dye under solar light. The optimum photocatalytic activity of g-C 3 N 4 /Zn 3 (PO 4 ) 2 composite was found for 30 % weight of g-C 3 N 4 . The comparison experiments showed the photocatalytic activity of the g-C 3 N 4 / Zn 3 (PO 4 ) 2 composite increased 2 times compare to bare Zn 3 (PO 4 ) 2 and 1.5 times of g-C 3 N 4 . The enhanced photocatalytic activity originates due to the transfer of photogenerated electrons from the conduction band of g-C 3 N 4 to the Zn 3 (PO 4 ) 2 which makes well-separated electron-hole pairs. The degradation capacity increases with an increase in the pH of the solution up to 8 and then decreases up to 10 and then again starts increasing. The addition of scavengers decreases degradation capacity of g-C 3 N 4 /Zn 3 (PO 4 ) 2 composite in the order of Ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid-Na 2 (EDTA) > tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) > L-ascorbic acid (AA). The degradation of CV over g-C 3 N 4 /Zn 3 (PO 4 ) 2 composite mainly attributed by the holes. The interfering anions (except Br À ) decrease the degradation capacity of Zn 3 (PO 4 ) 2 whereas in the case of composite no change in the degradation capacity was observed. The recycling experiment for the degradation of CV dye was performed on bare Zn 3 (PO 4 ) 2 and g-C 3 N 4 /Zn 3 (PO 4 ) 2 composite and found better stability and recyclability of the composite material.

Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance of g‐C3N4@MnFe2O4 Nanocomposite for Crystal Violet Dye Degradation under Solar Light

“…Figure 1(c) shows the diffraction peaks corresponding to g-C 3 N 4 and MnFe 2 O 4 indicating the formation of g-C 3 N 4 @MnFe 2 O 4 nanocomposite. [48] In Figure 1(d-f) the peak of g-C 3 N 4 disappeared even with the increasing amount of loading, due to its poor crystalline nature, and some peaks of MnFe 2 O 4 shifted, which may be due to the increasing amount of g-C 3 N 4 . The crystallite size was calculated using Debye-Scherrer's equation ( 2) and found to be 36.31 nm and 30 nm for bare MnFe 2 O 4 nanoparticle and g-C 3 N 4 @MnFe 2 O 4 nanocomposite respectively.…”

“…The CB (conduction band) and VB (valance band) of g-C 3 N 4 are located at À 1.27 eV and 1.39 eV respectively according to previous report. [45,48] The conduction band (CB) and valance band (VB) of MnFe 2 O 4 are located at À 0.01 eV and 1.59 eV.…”

“…g-C 3 N 4 was fabricated via the thermal decomposition of melamine as reported earlier. [48] 6 g of melamine was taken in an alumina crucible and covered with a lid and heated at 550 °C for 3 hours in a muffle furnace. The obtained, yellow-colored g-C 3 N 4 powder was ground into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle.…”

An overview of prominent factors influencing the photocatalytic degradation of cationic crystal violet dye employing diverse nanostructured materials

“…Most of the dyes are dangerous and can cause skin cancer. 6 Without adequate monitoring, these dyes are stable and may persist in the environment for a very long time. 7 Cationic dyes are extensively utilized in acrylic, wool, nylon and silk dyeing.…”

Synthesis of titanium phosphate/polypyrrole nanocomposites for removal of methyl orange from water

“…[ 3 ] The presence of a trace amount of dye reduces light penetration and the rate of photosynthesis of aqueous flora. [ 4 ] Dyes cause skin irritation, allergy, dermatitis, [ 5 ] and also provoke cell mutations and cancer in humans. [ 6 ]…”