TiO2 / Graphitic carbon nitride Z-scheme catalyst for binary dye degradation by persulphate activation

Abstract

In this work, we describe the preparation of the TiO2 (P25) / Graphitic Carbon Nitride composite and the degradation of pollutants using this composite with persulphate activation. The materials are characterized by XRD, FTIR analysis, etc. XRD analysis confirms the presence of TiO2 anatase and GCN and the characteristic functional groups of both TiO2 and GCN are determined with the help of FTIR. The degradation of crystal violet and Rhodamine B in binary mixtures over this synthesized catalyst is easier than individual catalysts separately. The degradation efficiency of crystal violet over TiO2/GCN composite is 1.5 times higher than GCN and 3 times higher than TiO2 alone and the degradation efficiency of Rhodamine B over TiO2/GCN composite is 1.1 times higher than GCN and 2.4 times higher than TiO2 alone. In flat band analysis, a Z-Scheme catalyst is formed between TiO2 and GCN. The electron transfer between the bands of TiO2 and GCN occurs because of proper band alignment between these materials.