Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of brilliant green using g-C3N5/WO3 nanocomposite: A Z-scheme charge transfer approach under visible light irradiation

Abstract

The industrial use of dyes is harming natural ecosystems. Photocatalysis is a potentially useful method for addressing these kinds of environmental contaminants. The present study addresses the synthesis of a novel g-C3N5/WO3 Z-scheme heterojunction via the ultra-sonication method and the calcination method with the use of a triazole. The toxic dye, brilliant green (BG) was degraded by utilizing the prepared photocatalyst. The elemental composition, surface morphology and structureof the prepared g-C3N5/WO3nanocomposite were analysed using various techniques including XPS, PL, SEM-EDAX, HRTEM, and XRD. The average diameter of the g-C3N5/WO3 nanocomposite was found to be 44 nm using TEM. The optical properties were analysed using UV-DRS. The as-synthesized g-C3N5/WO3nanocomposite had a direct band gap of 2.27 eV, as determined fromTauc’s plot and demonstrated exceptional photocatalytic degradation efficacy for the elimination of the BG dye via the Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP). A degradation efficacy of 99.4 % within a short interval of time of 60 min was achieved by the prepared photocatalyst under various optimum situations. The rate constant of the photocatalytic reaction was calculated to be 0.05994 min−1 following a pseudo first order kinetics. Additionally, with an efficiency of90.17 %the photocatalyst can be recycled upto the fourth cycle. The current work accomplishes the goal of creating an innovative and effective photocatalyst that is responsive towards visible light.