Visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity of ZnO/g-C3N4 heterojunction for the green synthesis of biologically interest small molecules of thiazolidinones

Designing a photocatalytic system with complementary properties including high surface area, high loading, extraordinary electronic properties, and easy separation for increases photocatalytic performance has remained a challenge in photocatalytic applications. Herein, an environmentally benign approach was developed to fabricate graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) decorated with nanorods zinc oxide (ZnO). The photocatalytic activity of ZnO decorated on the g-C3N4 surface was developed in the synthesis of 1,3-thiazolidin-4-ones and bis-thiazolidinones under very mild and sustainable reaction conditions. The reaction can be carried out by utilizing visible light without the requirement of any additive and other external sources of energy. It was found that the proposed photocatalyst is a more facile, recyclable, large-scale application and provides some new insights into the stabilization of semiconductors for a variety of applications.