Effective Removal of Methylene Blue on EuVO4/g-C3N4 Mesoporous Nanosheets via Coupling Adsorption and Photocatalysis

Abstract

In this study, we first manufactured ultrathin g-C3N4 (CN) nanosheets by thermal etching and ultrasonic techniques. Then, EuVO4 (EV) nanoparticles were loaded onto CN nanosheets to form EuVO4/g-C3N4 heterojunctions (EVCs). The ultrathin and porous structure of the EVCs increased the specific surface area and reaction active sites. The formation of the heterostructure extended visible light absorption and accelerated the separation of charge carriers. These two factors were advantageous to promote the synergistic effect of adsorption and photocatalysis, and ultimately enhanced the adsorption capability and photocatalytic removal efficiency of methylene blue (MB). EVC-2 (2 wt% of EV) exhibited the highest adsorption and photocatalytic performance. Almost 100% of MB was eliminated via the adsorption–photocatalysis synergistic process over EVC-2. The MB adsorption capability of EVC-2 was 6.2 times that of CN, and the zero-orderreaction rate constant was 5 times that of CN. The MB adsorption on EVC-2 followed the pseudo second-order kinetics model and the adsorption isotherm data complied with the Langmuir isotherm model. The photocatalytic degradation data of MB on EVC-2 obeyed the zero-order kinetics equation in 0–10 min and abided by the first-order kinetics equation for10–30 min. This study provided a promising EVC heterojunctions with superior synergetic effect of adsorption and photocatalysis for the potential application in wastewater treatment.

Recent Advances in Synthesis, Characterization and Applications of Innovative Materials in Removal of Water Contaminants

“…The methylene blue adsorption on EuVO 4 /g-C 3 N 4 followed the pseudo second-order kinetics model, and the adsorption isotherm data complied with the Langmuir isotherm model [25]. The photocatalytic degradation data of methylene blue on EuVO 4 /g-C 3 N 4 obeyed the zero-order kinetics equation for 0-10 min and the first-order kinetics equation for 10-30 min [25]. This study provided promising EuVO 4 /g-C 3 N 4 heterojunctions, with superior synergetic effects of adsorption and photocatalysis, for potential application in wastewater treatment [25].…”

“…This Special Issue also includes the study of Ran et al [25] on the removal of methylene blue by EuVO 4 /g-C 3 N 4 mesoporous nanosheets via coupling adsorption and photocatalysis. The ultrathin and porous structure of the EuVO 4 /g-C 3 N 4 increased the specific surface area and active reaction sites, and the formation of the heterostructure extended visible light absorption and accelerated the separation of charge carriers [25].…”

“…This Special Issue also includes the study of Ran et al [25] on the removal of methylene blue by EuVO 4 /g-C 3 N 4 mesoporous nanosheets via coupling adsorption and photocatalysis. The ultrathin and porous structure of the EuVO 4 /g-C 3 N 4 increased the specific surface area and active reaction sites, and the formation of the heterostructure extended visible light absorption and accelerated the separation of charge carriers [25]. These two factors were advantageous in promoting the synergistic effect of adsorption and photocatalysis, and ultimately enhanced the methylene blue's adsorption capability and photocatalytic removal efficiency [25].…”

“…The ultrathin and porous structure of the EuVO 4 /g-C 3 N 4 increased the specific surface area and active reaction sites, and the formation of the heterostructure extended visible light absorption and accelerated the separation of charge carriers [25]. These two factors were advantageous in promoting the synergistic effect of adsorption and photocatalysis, and ultimately enhanced the methylene blue's adsorption capability and photocatalytic removal efficiency [25]. The methylene blue adsorption on EuVO 4 /g-C 3 N 4 followed the pseudo second-order kinetics model, and the adsorption isotherm data complied with the Langmuir isotherm model [25].…”

“…These two factors were advantageous in promoting the synergistic effect of adsorption and photocatalysis, and ultimately enhanced the methylene blue's adsorption capability and photocatalytic removal efficiency [25]. The methylene blue adsorption on EuVO 4 /g-C 3 N 4 followed the pseudo second-order kinetics model, and the adsorption isotherm data complied with the Langmuir isotherm model [25]. The photocatalytic degradation data of methylene blue on EuVO 4 /g-C 3 N 4 obeyed the zero-order kinetics equation for 0-10 min and the first-order kinetics equation for 10-30 min [25].…”