Synthesis of novel direct Z-scheme AgVO3-g-C3N4 heterojunction for photocatalytic hydrogen production and bisphenol degradation

Mesoporous AgVO3/g-C3N4 heterojunctions were synthesized by sonochemical route for exceptional photocatalytic degradation of bisphenol (BPA) and photocatalytic hydrogen production. Mass ratio of AgVO3 plays a pivotal role in determining the photocatalytic efficiency. Due to the small difference between the valence band potential of g-C3N4 (E-VB = + 1.4 eV) and conduction band potential of AgVO3 (E-CB = +0.31 eV), a perfect direct Z-scheme mechanism is constructed. The removal of BPA reaches 96% and the rate of hydrogen produced is 24.6 mmolh(-1)g(-1) for the optimal sample. Taking the benefits of matching the band energy structure, AgVO3/g-C3N4 heterojunction enhances the recombination of the positive hole and electron in the inferior valence and conduction band of g-C3N4 and AgVO3, respectively, through Z-scheme aspects. However, the holes and electrons in the higher valence and conduction bands are preserved with strong oxidative and reductive power to oxidize the organic pollutant and generate hydrogen gas. The positive holes, hydroxyl superoxide radicals are the main reactive species in BPA degradation that confirmed Z-scheme mechanism. The photocatalyst exhibits superior reactivity for five consecutive cycles without change in crystal structure indicating high stability of the as-synthesized samples. This research work gives a hot spot in synthesis of low-cost photocatalyst for various industrial process.

Automated summary

Mesoporous AgVO3/g-C3N4 heterojunctions were synthesized by sonochemical route for exceptional photocatalytic degradation of bisphenol (BPA) and photocatalytic hydrogen production. The optimized sample exhibited 96% removal of BPA and a hydrogen production rate of 24.6 mmolh(-1)g(-1).