BWO nano-octahedron coupled with layered g-C3N4: An efficient visible light active photocatalyst for degradation of cationic/anionic dyes, and N2 reduction

Abstract

The challenges like the removal of organic pollutants from the wastewater, and photocatalytic reduction of N2 using solar energy are achievable by stable, low cost, and a visible light active semiconductor mediated photocatalysis. A novel 0.4BWO/g-C3N4 heterostructure achieves excellent degradation of cationic/anionic dyes and N2 reduction under visible light illumination. The 0.4BWO/g-C3N4 exhibits 99.8% degradation efficiency towards the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB), which is 2.2-fold compared to commercial catalyst Degussa P25. 0.4BWO/g-C3N4 composite also efficiently degraded AV7, IC, DB 71 dyes and photo-reduce N2 to NH3. The incorporation of BWO nano-octahedron into the g-C3N4 network suppress the recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs and follow Z-scheme electron transfer pathway in 0.4BWO/g-C3N4 heterostructure. The notable separation of electron-hole pairs is well described by photoluminescence, time-resolved fluorescence, and impedance spectroscopy study. The finding presented here provides new insight into typical design and engineering of a stable and visible light active heterostructure for degradation of dyes and N2 reduction.