Fabrication of Ag@SrTiO3/g-C3N4 heterojunctions for H2 production and the degradation of pesticides under visible light

In the present study, we have fabricated Ag-doped STO/g-CN heterojunctions and the fabricated heterostructure was characterized. The photo-electrochemical performance including PL, photocurrent, (EIS), and TR-FS were also determined. The fabricated nanocomposites were used for the photocatalytic hydrogen production and degradation of the pesticide, Dicofol. Photocatalytic properties (bandgap), band potentials (E-VB and E-CB), and band structures were determined using Mott-Schottky and DSR study. The hydrogen production rate of Ag(3) STO/g-CN was found to be 645.62 mu mol.g(-1)h(-1) which is about 2 times higher than that of pristine STO/g-CN. The formed intermediates and catalytic mechanism for the degradation of Dicofol have supported DFT calculation and LC-MS spectra. The results revealed that the fabricated nanocomposites exhibit ultrafast photocatalytic activity and about 92.2 % degradation was noticed within 60 min. The reusability was carried out and the photocatalyst retains its catalytic activity about 95% after 6 cycles.

Automated summary

In this study, Ag-doped STO/g-CN heterojunctions were fabricated and characterized for their photo-electrochemical performance and photocatalytic activity. The results demonstrated that the nanocomposites exhibit excellent photocatalytic activity, with high degradation efficiency for Dicofol, and good reusability after multiple cycles.