Unleashing the visible light-exposed photocatalytic potential of V2O5/g-C3N4 nanocomposites for dye industries wastewater cleaner production

Abstract

Dealing harmful dye-containing effluent from the textile sector significantly contributes to water contamination. The persistence of these dyes in wastewater complicates traditional treatment approaches, emphasizing the necessity for efficient photocatalytic materials for dye pollution degradation. Due to its unique features, V2O5/g-C3N4 nanocomposites are discovered as promising photocatalysts in this area. The V205 nanoparticles act as electron acceptors, while g-C3N4 acts as electron donors, thus encouraging charge separation and increasing photocatalytic activity. The V2O5/g-C3N4 nanocomposites are characterized using XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, SEM, TEM, XPS, and UV-DRS. Cationic dyes, anionic dyes and mix dyes (1:1 mixture of cationic and anionic dyes) are used to test the photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposites. Photocatalytic activity shows that V2O5/g-C3N4 nanocomposites are more active than their precursors. The V5G-2 nanocomposite degrades anionic (Rose Bengal (85.1%) and Xylenol Orange (77.6%), cationic (Auramine O (75% and Crystal Violet (79.5%), and mixed dyes (81%), after 120 min of irradiation. This study introduces a novel technique for synthesizing V2O5/g-C3N4 nanocomposites using solvothermal and ultrasonic processes. The findings of this research provide significant knowledge for the development of photocatalysts with enhanced efficiency in the degradation of dye pollutants.