Novel combustion technique synthesis of ZnCo2O4 nanobeads/g-C3N4 nanosheet heterojunction photocatalyst in-effect of enhancing photocatalytic degradation for environmental remediation

Abstract

An agglomerated nanobead ZnCo2O4 with g-C3N4 nanosheet composite was prepared through a novel combustion technique (tartaric acid as fuel). The heterojunction formation between the materials leads to a synergistic effect that enhances active sites and degradation efficiency. The prepared samples were further analyzed through various techniques like X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV–visible spectroscopy. The obtained 15% ZC/gCN achieved a higher percentage (95% and 80%) of degradation within 60 and 120 mins for RhB and CIP pollutants which were higher than pure gCN, with the rate kinetics of 0.0347 and 0.0102 x10−2 min−1. With respect to the photoluminescence and photoelectrochemical performance, the enhancement in the degradation was ascribed due to enhanced charge separation of photo-excited electrons and holes, which intend retarding the recombination of excited charges. The active reacting species during degradation, such as superoxide, was noted from scavenger analysis. The recyclability of the material confirms its good stability nature. Here a type-I heterojunction form was noticed by theoretical, empirical formula; through this, a reasonable position of conduction bands owing to a double reduction process was proposed. This work provided bimetallic oxide-based metal-free compound formation for environmental remediation.