Boosting Photocatalytic Performance of ZnO Nanowires via Building Heterojunction with g-C3N4

Abstract

The development of a stable and highly active photocatalyst has garnered significant attention in the field of wastewater treatment. In this study, a novel technique involving a facile stirring method was devised to fabricate an array of g-C3N4/ZnO nanowire (ZnO NW) composites. Through the introduction of g-C3N4 to augment the generation of electron-hole pairs upon exposure to light, the catalytic efficacy of these composites was found to surpass that of the pristine ZnO NWs when subjected to simulated sunlight. The photocatalytic performance of a 20 mg·L−1 methylene blue solution was found to be highest when the doping rate was 25 wt%, resulting in a degradation rate of 99.1% after 60 min. The remarkable enhancement in catalytic efficiency can be ascribed to the emergence of a captivating hetero-junction at the interface of g-C3N4 and ZnO NWs, characterized by a harmoniously aligned band structure. This alluring arrangement effectively curtailed charge carrier recombination, amplified light absorption, and augmented the distinct surface area, culminating in a notable boost to the photocatalytic prowess. These findings suggest that the strategic engineering of g-C3N4/ZnO NW heterostructures holds tremendous promise as a pioneering avenue for enhancing the efficacy of wastewater treatment methodologies.

Hydrophilicity and Pore Structure Enhancement in Polyurethane/Silk Protein–Bismuth Halide Oxide Composite Films for Photocatalytic Degradation of Dye

“…This arrangement leads to an asymmetric charge distribution between layers, creating an internal electrostatic field that promotes the efficient separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs, thus exhibiting good photocatalytic activity [ 8 , 9 , 10 ]. However, the photocatalytic performance of the powder nano-granular bismuth halide catalyst is diminished due to the propensity for particle agglomeration during reactions, complicating separation and recovery from the aqueous phase post-reaction and leading to catalyst loss and secondary pollution [ 11 ]. Recently, researchers have addressed these challenges by immobilizing powdered nanophotocatalysts onto carriers to create supported nanocomposites, enhancing nanoparticle dispersion and catalyst stability [ 12 ].…”

In Situ Decoration of Bi2S3 Nanosheets on Zinc Oxide/Cellulose Acetate Composite Films for Photodegradation of Dyes under Visible Light Irradiation

“…However, the powdered photocatalyst tends to agglomerate during the process of photocatalysis, resulting in a challenge to separating and recycling. Additionally, this agglomeration can lead to secondary pollution in the water system, thereby limiting its effectiveness in degrading organic pollutants [10][11][12]. Therefore, it becomes imperative to develop an appropriate support substrate that can address these issues by facilitating the deposition of the catalyst [13].…”