Novel ternary g-C3N4 nanosheet/Ag2MoO4/AgI photocatalysts: Impressive photocatalysts for removal of various contaminants

Abstract

This study presents the combining g-C3N4 nanosheet (NSCN) with Ag2MoO4 and AgI semiconductors through facile precipitation method as ternary visible-light-driven photocatalysts. The photoability of the nanocomposites was evaluated via photodegradation of different aqueous contaminants under visible-light excitation. The results displayed that the contents of Ag2MoO4 and AgI has considerable impact on photoability of ternary nanocomposite and the NSCN/Ag2MoO4/AgI (30%) nanocomposite illustrated best activity in the removal of MB, RhB, fuchsine, and MO, which was about 109, 155, 55.9, and 51.8-times premier than the bare CN, respectively. In addition, the boosted ability of the ternary system is 27.4, 22.6, 22.9, and 23.7 times superior relative to the NSCN in removal of MB, RhB, fuchsine, and MO pollutants, respectively, whereas the ability is 7.2, 4.9, 3.7, and 3.4 times premier than that of the NSCN/Ag2MoO4 (20%) system. The improved photoability was assigned to the enhanced absorption of visible light owing to the existence of small band gap semiconductors and improvement of the segregation of the charges due to the construction of ternary nanocomposite. The reactive species scavenging results predicted that superoxide anion radicals are the essential involved species in the RhB elimination. In addition, by evaluating the electrochemical features, a suitable mechanism was offered based on the band energies to explain the increased charges segregation and movement, which led to admirable photoactivities in removals of several hazardous pollutants.