Enhanced photocatalytic activity of Jamun-like Zn2V2O7/C-dots/g-C3N4 nanocomposites for Rhodamine B degradation under the visible light radiation

Abstract

In this present report, we prepared a novel Jamun-like structured Zn2V2O7 and carbon dots (C-dots)-decorated g-C3N4 (Zn2V2O7/C-dots/g-C3N4) ternary nanocomposite material for the degradation of the Rhodamine B (Rh·B) The Zn2V2O7/C-dots/g-C3N4 nanocomposite was synthesized using simple pyrolysis route. Various physicochemical characterizations were used to substantiate the synthesized nanomaterials including high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies, respectively. Photoluminescence studies (PL) proved that the Zn2V2O7/C-dots/g-C3N4 nanocomposite has fewer recombination rate than the bare g-C3N4 during the photoexcitation process. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies confirmed the Zn2V2O7/C-dots/g-C3N4 nanocomposite has quicker electron transfer efficiency toward the degradation of Rh·B than the pure Zn2V2O7. Finally, as-synthesized Zn2V2O7/C-dots/g-C3N4 nanocomposite was applied to investigate the photodegradation of the persistent organic pollutant Rh·B under the visible light irradiation. The as-prepared Zn2V2O7/C-dots/g-C3N4 nanocomposite exhibited superior photocatalytic performance toward the degradation of Rh·B than the pure g-C3N4 and Zn2V2O7. Furthermore, this Zn2V2O7/C-dots/g-C3N4 nanocomposite has the ability to degrade 97% of Rh·B within 30 min. The Zn2V2O7/C-dots/g-C3N4 nanocomposite exhibited admirable structural stability toward the degradation of Rh·B upon recycling experiments. The plausible mechanism of photodegradation of Zn2V2O7/C-dots/g-C3N4 nanocomposite was carefully discussed.