ZnO-Modified g-C3N4: A Potential Photocatalyst for Environmental Application.

Abstract

Solar energy-driven practices using semiconducting materials is an ideal approach toward wastewater remediation. In order to attain a superior photocatalyst, a composite of g-C3N4 and ZnO (GCN–ZnO) has been prepared by one-step thermal polymerization of urea and zinc carbonate basic dihydrate [ZnNO3]2·[Zn(OH)2]3. The GCN–ZnO0.4 sample showed an evolved morphology, increased surface area (116 m2 g–1), better visible light absorption ability, and reduced band gap in comparison to GCN–pure. The GCN–ZnO0.4 sample also showed enhanced adsorption and photocatalytic activity performance, resulting in an increased reaction rate value up to 3 times that of GCN–pure, which was attributed to the phenomenon of better separation of photogenerated charge carriers resulting because of heterojunction development among interfaces of GCN–pure and ZnO. In addition, the GCN–ZnO0.4 sample showed a decent stability for four cyclic runs and established its potential use for abatement of organic wastewater pollutants in comparison to GCN–pure.