Visible light active g-C3N4 sheets/CdS heterojunction photocatalyst for decolourisation of acid blue (AB-25)

Chalcogenide-based semiconductors have attracted research interest due to their potential applications in electronics, energy storage devices, solar cells, and water treatment. In this study, g-C3N4 sheets/CdS (CNs/CdS) heterojunction nanocomposites were synthesized using the hydrothermal synthesis method. The CNs/CdS nanocomposites were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and UV-visible DRS techniques. The FESEM analysis confirmed the formation of CdS wild-berry like structure and successful attachment of CdS to the surface of g-C3N4 nanosheets. The PL results indicated reduced rate of electron-hole pair recombination for the 10% CNs/CdS. Upon application of photocatalytic decolourisation of AB-25 with 10% CNs/CdS, there was 99.3% dye removal efficiency achieved after 180 min. The CNs/CdS catalyst was observed to be stable after 4 repeated cycles, and this could be a pivotal character for real wastewater treatment application by this catalyst.

Automated summary

In this study, a novel g-C3N4 sheets/CdS heterojunction nanocomposite was synthesized and demonstrated high dye removal efficiency in photocatalytic decolourisation experiments. The composite also showed stability after multiple repeated cycles, indicating potential for real wastewater treatment applications.