Statistical and experimental studies of MoS2/g-C3N4/TiO2: a ternary Z-scheme hybrid composite

A ternary photocatalyst, MoS2/g-C3N4/TiO2, was prepared using layered and exfoliated MoS2, g-C3N4, and TiO2 via hydrothermal and wet chemical method. It was characterized using various methods to evaluate the structural, morphological and optical properties. Successful incorporation of g-C3N4 and TiO2 into MoS2 was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and the formation of heterojunctions among MoS2, g-C3N4 and TiO2 particles was established by transmission electron microscopy. These hybrid composites exhibited excellent efficiency in the degradation of malachite green dye. The composite can be recycled four times without loss of photoactivity. The remarkable improvement in photocatalytic efficiency was because of the synergism among the three nanoparticles through the Z-scheme pathway which allows separation of electron-hole pairs and makes MoS2/g-C3N4/TiO2 an outstanding material in the fields of photocatalysis and water treatment. The optimized experimental conditions for the degradation of the dye were assessed by the Box-Behnken design of the response surface methodology.

Automated summary

The ternary photocatalyst MoS2/g-C3N4/TiO2 was prepared using layered and exfoliated MoS2, g-C3N4, and TiO2 through hydrothermal and wet chemical methods. The synergism among the three nanoparticles through the Z-scheme pathway allows the separation of electron-hole pairs, making MoS2/g-C3N4/TiO2 an outstanding material in the fields of photocatalysis and water treatment.