Construction of g-C3N4 based heterojunction photocatalyst by coupling TiO2-SnO2 solid solution for efficient multipurpose photocatalysis

Designing g-C3N4 based heterojunction photocatalyst by coupling wide-bandgap semiconductors not only promote the increased charge separation but also can provide the opportunity of aptly modulating its thermodynamic properties. Herein, g-C3N4@TiO2-SnO2 nanocomposites has been judiciously designed and is followed to synthesize by a straightforward hydrothermal method. Essentially, g-C3N4 was integrated with TiO2-SnO2 solid solution, composed of two phases (anatase (A) and rutile (R)) to fabricate the g-C3N4@TiO2-SnO2 nanocomposites. The hybrid nanocomposite is utilized as a highly efficient multipurpose photocatalyst for pollutant removal (Methyl orange, Rhodamine B, Cr6+) and H-2 evolution under visible/solar light irradiation. The reaction rate constant (k) values for the pollutant removal using this newly prepared g-C3N4@TiO2 -SnO2 nanocomposite is found to be 14.4, 5.6 and 9 times higher than that of TiO2-SnO2, g-C3N4, and the physical mixture, respectively. The H-2 evolution rate of g-C3N4@TiO2-SnO2 (220 mu mol h(-1) g(-1)) is also evaluated to be about 10 times higher than that of g-C3N4 (22 mu mol h(-1) g(-1)). The improved photoactivity of g-C3N4@TiO2-SnO2 nanocomposites is attributed to the improved electron-hole separation and the apt modulation of thermodynamic properties. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Designing and synthesizing g-C3N4@TiO2-SnO2 nanocomposites can lead to highly efficient photocatalysts for pollutant removal and H-2 evolution. The improved photoactivity of the composite is mainly attributed to enhanced electron-hole separation and apt modulation of thermodynamic properties.