2D/2D facial interaction of nitrogen-doped g-C3N4/In2S3 nanosheets for high performance by visible-light-induced photocatalysis

The draining of industrial waste into natural water sources is creating severe destruction to the environ-ment by contaminating the water. Here, 2D/2D nitrogen-doped g-C3N4/In2S3 nanocomposites (NGI) were developed by varying concentrations of Ngcn {337 mg (NGI-1), 675 mg (NGI-2) and 1350 mg (NGI-3), respectively} by simple polycondensation-reflux method. The remediation of organic pollutants from wastewaters was performed by as-prepared photocatalysts periodically. PXRD reveals the monoclinic and cubic structure of Ngcn and In2S3 respectively. FESEM and TEM images confirm the sheet-like morphology with the average size of similar to 500 nm whereas D-spacing values in SAED patterns resemble XRD peaks for both Ngcn and In2S3 respectively. Moreover, the XPS technique was performed to confirm the elemental com-positions of Ngcn and In2S3 photocatalysts. The maximum pore size (20.44 nm) and pore volume (1.15 cc/g) of NGI-2 nanocomposite were observed by BET results. NGI-2 showed the maximum photodegradation efficiency similar to 99% in 10 min with photodegradation rate (0.141/min) that is similar to 2 folds than pristine indium sulfide (InS) and 8-folds than nitrogen-doped g-C3N4 (Ngcn). Moreover, NGI-2 showed a good adsorption capacity of 5.02 mg/g which is 2-folds than Ngcn. The enhanced adsorption capacity along with photo-catalytic degradation of NGI-2 could be attributed to a high rate of electron-hole pair separation due to the combined effect of band gap, large surface area and interface formation. The industrial sewage analysis was also examined by NGI-2 and found significant photodegradation efficiency. (C) 2022 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

In this study, 2D/2D nitrogen-doped g-C3N4/In2S3 nanocomposites were developed by varying concentrations of Ngcn. The as-prepared photocatalysts exhibited excellent photodegradation efficiency and adsorption capacity, showing promising potential for the treatment of industrial wastewater.