Abstract
The design of UV-visible light active photocatalysts for organic pollutant removal is a challenging task. Herein, we have developed an LED light active ZnO-embedded S-doped g-C3N4 (SCN) heterojunction by a facile sol–gel assisted calcination method. The heterojunction between ZnO and SCN nanoparticles generates a Z-scheme photocatalyst, which helps to separate the photo-induced charge carriers in the opposite direction, and is beneficial for more visible light absorption for photocatalytic dye degradation. The composite heterojunction shows better photocatalytic redox in comparison with pristine nanomaterials. The enhanced degradation efficiency is attributed to the high production rate of ˙OH (hydroxyl) radicals during the photocatalysis process, which is analyzed by the TA test and elemental trapping experiment. Hence, we hope that this Z-scheme heterojunction provides a new way to develop UV-visible light active photocatalysts for environmental remediation applications.
Highlights
IntroductionBased on this, coupling ZnO with graphitic-carbon nitride (gC3N4) is considered to be the most predominant route to improve visible light absorption in order to enhance the photocatalytic activity.[11,12] Graphitic carbon nitrides are visible-
In recent years, unpredictable climate change and human population increase have caused a crisis in pure water availability for humans and wildlife
The photocatalytic activity of the prepared nanoparticles was analyzed by the degradation of methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine B (RhB) dye molecules under LED light illumination without any optical lter
Summary
Based on this, coupling ZnO with graphitic-carbon nitride (gC3N4) is considered to be the most predominant route to improve visible light absorption in order to enhance the photocatalytic activity.[11,12] Graphitic carbon nitrides are visible-. In the Z-scheme photocatalysis process, the two-step photo-excitation process was involved, in which two different semiconductors perform the reduction and oxidation reaction.[25,26] Especially, the spatial separation of oxidation and reduction centers is achievable in such a two-step photoexcitation system, which can minimize the undesirable back-reaction to enhance the overall photo-conversion efficiency.[27] In this typical Z-scheme process, the electrons in the CB of one semiconductor transferred to another semiconductor’s valance band through an inter cross-section without any electron shielding problem.[15] Most importantly, the reduction and oxidation reactions occur at the heterogeneous photocatalysts with more negative CB values and more positive valance band values, respectively This type of Z-scheme heterojunction, with strong oxidation and reduction potential is useful for boosting the overall photo-conversion efficiency.[26] In this way, the electron and holes are separated in opposite directions and help to enhance the photocatalytic redox process
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