Synthesis of CuS/CNTs/gCN ternary nanocomposite for enhanced photocatalytic response of harmful organic effulents

Abstract

To find such materials which assist to cope environmental pollution issues especially water contamination is thought-provoking task in the scientific era. Herein, we synthesized 2D CuS materials through hydrothermal method and their composite with a well-known carbonaceous material CNTs. The CuS/CNTs/gCN ternary nanocomposite was synthesized via ultrasonication with a metal free co-catalyst graphitic carbon nitride (gCN). The as-prepared CuS, CuS/CNTs binary nanocomposite, and CuS/CNTs/gCN ternary nanocomposite were efficiently utilized to study photocatalytic response of a cationic dye (Rhodamine B) and an anionic dye (Methyl orange). The CuS/CNTs/gCN photocatalyst divulges best photodegradation response of RhB and MO dyes by degrading them up to 95.3% and 93.2% under solar light respectively. Important photo active species involved in photocatalysis progression were trapped by using different trapping agent and found hydroxyl radicals are highly photoactive during photocatalytic mechanism. The graphitic carbon nitride (gCN) as a metal free co-catalyst meaningfully heightened the surface area of the ternary composite and delivers extra active sites for redox reaction. The consequences concludes that CuS/CNTs/gCN composite have potential to compete in water pollution applications for remediation of both cationic and anionic contaminants.