Insitu synthesis, characterization of Z-scheme g-C3N4/Bi2O3 as photocatalyst for degradation of azo dye, Amido black-10B under solar irradiation

Abstract

Here in, we report the synthesis of Z-scheme g-C3N4/Bi2O3 as an efficient direct solar light-driven photocatalyst using a facile in-situ approach. The characterization of obtained composite using various techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), TGA/DTA/DTG, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed successful synthesis of g-C3N4/Bi2O3 composite. Furthermore, photoluminescence (PL), transient photocurrent response (TPR), UV-VIS diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS), and BET surface area analysis studies were also carried out. The as-obtained composite g-C3N4/Bi2O3-2 displayed 98.8% degradation efficiency of amido black 10B (AB-10B) dye in 60 min under exposure of direct sunlight and at optimized conditions (dye concentration = 0.01 g L−1, pH = 5, catalyst dose as 0.25 g L−1). The photocatalytic degradation process was compounded with first-order reaction kinetics. The statistical significance of the experimental data received was evaluated and a strong correlation between the process parameters was predicted. Based on inhibitor studies, a mechanism was proposed that revealed the significant contribution of . O2− and . OH in photocatalytic process. Thus, g-C3N4/Bi2O3-2 showed enhanced photocatalytic degradation and can be explored further for various environmental applications.