Novel 2D layered g-C3N4 nanocomposite materials for sustainable wastewater treatment by catalytic degradation of toxic dye

Abstract

The photocatalytic degradation technique is one of the suitable ways of dealing with environmental pollutant decontamination. This study demonstrates the ability of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanocomposites containing tellurium (Te) and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) to photocatalytically destroy organic cationic methylene blue (MB) dye, which is primarily used in the textile industry. Using the alkali treatment approach, layered graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was created. Using MoS2 and Te, several g-C3N4 nanocomposites were created using ultrasonic calcination techniques. After the MoS2 and Te were immobilized individually, the composites underwent a methodical characterization process utilizing a variety of instruments, including XRD and SEM. Using a 2D layered nano-g-C3N4 substrate, the photo-catalytic degradation reaction of MB was observed, and a UV spectrophotometer was used to determine the absorbance of the MB dye. Using 0.2 % MoS2/g-C3N4 and 5 % Te/g-C3N4, the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of the MB dye (10, 15, and 20 mg/L) solution was examined. In comparison to other produced nanocomposites, the 5 % Te/g-C3N4 composite was shown to have the highest photocatalytic activity in terms of dye degradation ability, and about 100 % of the MB dyes were degraded in less than 60 minutes. As the concentration of MB increased, the dye degradation efficiency of g-C3N4 nanocomposites steadily dropped, and the degradation rate of MB was around 1.5 mg/L.