Converting type II AgBr/VO into ternary Z scheme photocatalyst via coupling with phosphorus doped g-C3N4 for enhanced photocatalytic activity

The present work accentuated on preparation of phosphorous doped g-C(3)N(4)modified AgBr/V2O5 (AgBr/VO) nanocomposite and its applicability in photocatalysis of phenol. g-C3N4 (GCN) and phosphorous doped g-C3N4 (PCN) were fabricated via thermal polycondensation method using dicyandiamide and diammonium hydrogen phosphate as precursors. Heterojunctioned Ag/AgBr/V2O5/PCN ternary nanocomposite was fabricated via single-step hydrothermal method. The morphological study of ternary nanocomposite displayed uniform decoration of AgBr/V2O5 nanoparticles on PCN surface. Ag/AgBr/V2O5/PCN nanocomposite displayed advanced photocatalytic efficacy as compared to bare PCN, AgBr and V2O5 (VO). The improved photodegradation ability of Ag/AgBr/VO/PCN nanocomposite was ascribed to appropriate band alignment as well as Z-scheme electron hole pair generation which were facilitated by good storage and transmission of electron through Ag among PCN, AgBr and VO and resulted reduction in photoinduced charge carrier recombination. PL analysis confirmed the proposed mechanism for extended visible-light response of Ag/AgBr/VO/PCN nanocomposites. Lastly, recyclability along with mechanistic description detailing phenol photodegradation via Ag/AgBr/VO/PCN, Ag/AgBr/VO and PCN photocatalysts was also reconnoitered and removal efficiency was observed to be 99%, 65% and 54%, respectively. The proposed photocatalytic mechanism study signposted that h(+), (OH), O-2(-) radicals are foremost reactive species that play vital role in photodegradation process.