Efficient MnO2 decorated graphitic carbon nitride-based nanocomposite for application in water purification

Abstract

In the present work, a novel graphitic carbon nitride (GCN)/MnO2-based nanocomposite was prepared via in-situ method for application in photocatalytic degradation of RhB dye. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized using XRD (X-ray diffraction), FTIR spectroscopy (Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy) and UV–visible spectroscopy. The prepared materials were utilized in the photocatalytic reduction of RhB dye in two conditions i) in the presence of sunlight without any additive, ii) in the absence of sunlight with additive NaBH4. The complete degradation of RhB dye was achieved successfully by all the materials and the best performing GCN/MnO2 based nanocomposite degraded the RhB dye within 90 min in presence of sunlight and within 8 min with the help of NaBH4 additive. The energy bandgap of the nanoparticles were also measured using Tauc plot and the bandgap energies were found as 3.3 eV, 3.25 eV and 2.75 for GCN, MnO2 and GCN/MnO2 respectively. The rate constant and activity parameter for each reaction condition were calculated and compared with the reported literature.