Investigate the suitability of g-C3N4 nanosheets ornamented with BiOI nanoflowers for photocatalytic dye degradation and PEC water splitting

P Velusamy; Xinghui Liu; M Sathiya; Norah Salem Alsaiari; Fatimah Mohammed Alzahrani; M Tariq Nazir; Elangovan Elamurugu; M Senthil Pandian; Fuchun Zhang

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138007

Investigate the suitability of g-C₃N₄ nanosheets ornamented with BiOI nanoflowers for photocatalytic dye degradation and PEC water splitting

Chemosphere. 2023 Apr:321:138007. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138007. Epub 2023 Feb 6.

Authors

P Velusamy¹, Xinghui Liu², M Sathiya³, Norah Salem Alsaiari⁴, Fatimah Mohammed Alzahrani⁴, M Tariq Nazir⁵, Elangovan Elamurugu⁶, M Senthil Pandian⁷, Fuchun Zhang⁸

Affiliations

¹ School of Physics and Electronic Information, Yan'an University, Yan'an, 716000, China; Department of Physics, Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Thiruparankundram, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, 625015, India.
² School of Physics and Electronic Information, Yan'an University, Yan'an, 716000, China; Department of Materials Physics, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMTS), Thandalam, Chennai, 602105, Tamilnadu, India. Electronic address: liuxinghui119@gmail.com.
³ Department of Chemistry, Thiagarajar College, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai-625009, Tamil Nadu, India.
⁴ Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P. O. Box 84428, Riyadh, 11671, Saudi Arabia.
⁵ School of Manufacturing Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
⁶ iDARE Laboratory, Department of Physics and Nanotechnology, College of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603 203, Tamilnadu, India.
⁷ Research Center, SSN College of Engineering, Kalavakkam, 603110, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
⁸ School of Physics and Electronic Information, Yan'an University, Yan'an, 716000, China. Electronic address: yadxzfc@yau.edu.cn.

PMID: 36754306
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138007

Abstract

The two-step thermal polymerization and solvothermal approach is used to construct nano heterostructures of FCN and BiOI (bismuth oxeye iodide), both of which are Nobel metal-free materials. This work reports the effect nano-heterostructure on the micro-structural, light absorption capability, PEC properties and pollutant degradation efficiency of the synthesised heterostructures. The addition to that formation of FCN/BiOI nano-heterostructure enhances the solar light absorption. The FCN/BiOI nano heterostructure shows 10 times higher photocurrent density than the BCN nanostructure and 3.8 time higher that FCN. The FCN/BiOI has a high induced photo-current density (20.17 mA/cm²) and H₂ evolution rate (3762 μmol h^-1 cm^-2) under solar light illumination (λ ≥ 420 nm) in comparison with the other. Furthermore, the photocatalytic performance of this material for the breakdown of methyl red dyes was much greater. Under solar light irradiation, the azo dyes were degraded in 90 min. The FCN/BiOI nano-heterostructure has a higher dye degradation efficiency of 97.91%. The rapid transport of photo-induced electrons in the FCN/BiOI nanocomposite is responsible for the improvement in PEC and PC performances. These impressive findings suggest that this nanocomposite might be used to facilitate the PEC water splitting and the PC degradation of MR in the presence of light. The current research provides insight on how to best tailor composition and structure for efficient FCN photo-electrocatalysis water splitting and Methyl red dye degradation.

Keywords: Layered g-C(3)N(4); Methyl red; Nano-heterostructure; PEC; Pollutant degradation; Solvothermal synthesis.

MeSH terms

Coloring Agents*
Nanocomposites*
Water

Substances

methyl red
bismuth iodide
Coloring Agents
Water