Solvothermal preparation of TiO۲/g-C۳N۴ nanocomposite for catalytic enhancement

Photocatalysis and sonocatalysis are considered promising techniques employed for the degradation of organic pollutants through solar light, visible or UV light irradiation. In this study, TiO۲/g-C۳N۴ nanocomposite was successfully fabricated using solvothermal route and studied for its ability to degrade Rhodamine B (RhB), when exposed to UV light. The as-prepared nanocomposite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The solvothermal method did not modify the crystalline structure of the TiO۲ and g-C۳N۴  but enhanced the surface area by interlayer delamination of g-C۳N۴  . The nanocomposite exhibited commendable photocatalytic performances with ۹۹% degradation efficiency of RhB attained in ۱۰ min. The enhanced photocatalytic activities were attributable to UV light-harvesting characteristics and the formation of an S-scheme heterojunction system between two catalysts which promotes interfacial charge separation efficiency and longer charge carrier lifespan. Furthermore, TiO۲/g-C۳N۴ nanocomposite showed high sonocatalytic activity for the degradation of RhB. TiO۲/g-C۳N۴  nanocomposite exhibited the best degradation efficiency of ۹۹.۵ % against RhB within ۸ min under US light irradiation. Sonocatalytic degradation of organic dye using prepared nanocomposite could be described by the mechanisms of hot spots and sonoluminescence. Based on results, the photocatalytic degradation of RhB via TiO۲/g-C۳N۴ nanocomposite needs more time. The reusability of TiO۲/g-C۳N۴ was also examined in order to assess the composite sustainability.

کلیدواژه ها:

Nanocomposite ، photocatalysis ، Sonocatalysis ، reusability