Green synthesis of SrO bridged LaFeO3/g-C3N4 nanocomposites for CO2 conversion and bisphenol A degradation with new insights into mechanism

Abstract

Very recently the green synthesis routes of nanomaterials have attracted massive attention as it overcome the sustainability concerns of conventional synthesis approaches. With this heed, in this novel research work we have synthesized the g-C3N4 nanosheets based nanocomposites by utilizing Eriobotrya japonica as mediator and stabilizer agent. Our designed bio-caped and green g-C3N4 nanosheets based nanocomposites have abundant organic functional groups, activated surface and strong adsorption capability which are very favorable for conversion CO2 into useful products and bisphenol A degradation. Beneficial to further upgrade the performances of g-C3N4 nanosheets, the resulting pristine g-C3N4 nanosheets are coupled with LaFeO3 nanosheets via SrO bridge. Based on our experimental results such as TEM, XRD, DRS, TPD, TGA, PL, PEC and FS spectra linked with OH amount it is confirmed that the biologically mediated green g-C3N4 nanosheets are eco-friendly, highly efficient and stable. Furthermore, the coupling of LaFeO3 nanosheets enlarged the surface area, enhanced the charge separation, while the insertion of SrO bridge worked as facilitator for electron transportation and photo-electron modulation. In contrast to pristine green g-C3N4 nanosheets (GCN), the activities of final resulting sample 6LFOS-(4SrO)-GCN are improved by 8.0 times for CO2 conversion (CH4 = 4.2, CO = 9.2 μmol g−1 h−1) and 2.5-fold for bisphenol A degradation (88%) respectively. More specifically, our current research work will open a new gateway to design cost effective, eco-friendly and biological inspired green nanomaterials for CO2 conversion and organic pollutants degradation which will further support the net zero carbon emission manifesto and the optimization of carbon neutrality level.