Investigation on novel Cu2O modified g-C3N4/ZnO heterostructures for efficient photocatalytic dye degradation performance under visible-light exposure

Review and Perspective on Rational Design and Interface Engineering of g-C3N4/ZnO: From Type-II to Step-Scheme Heterojunctions for Photocatalytic Applications

“…146 Similarly, combining Cu 2 O (∼2.0 eV) with GCN/ZnO improved the reaction rate toward RhB degradation. 71 It was proposed that excited electrons migrate from GCN to Cu 2 O via ZnO, while the holes are steered from the ZnO VB to the GCN and Cu 2 O. Thus, the electrons accumulated on the GCN initiated superoxide radical generation, and VB holes of GCN and Cu 2 O prompted the direct oxidation pathway.…”

“…The electrons accumulated on Cu 2 O cannot cause dioxygen reduction and the excited holes loses its potential to generate hydroxyl radicals. 71 However, the p−n heterojunction existing between ZnO and copper oxides can be nullified by decorating them over the GCN surface. 146 The 2D/ 2D/1D configuration of GCN/WO 3 /ZnO-NRs facilitated the high adsorption of imidacloprid.…”

“…Thus, the electrons accumulated on the GCN initiated superoxide radical generation, and VB holes of GCN and Cu 2 O prompted the direct oxidation pathway. The electrons accumulated on Cu 2 O cannot cause dioxygen reduction and the excited holes loses its potential to generate hydroxyl radicals . However, the p – n heterojunction existing between ZnO and copper oxides can be nullified by decorating them over the GCN surface .…”

“…Henceforth, the intimate contact between CuO and ZnO would have reinforced the ZnO as a Z-scheme mediator. , In contrast, the deposition of isolated ZnO and CuO over GCN surface would have resulted in the absence of any intimate contact between the oxides, rendering the GCN to channelize the flow of electrons . Similarly, combining Cu 2 O (∼2.0 eV) with GCN/ZnO improved the reaction rate toward RhB degradation . It was proposed that excited electrons migrate from GCN to Cu 2 O via ZnO, while the holes are steered from the ZnO VB to the GCN and Cu 2 O.…”

“…In this approach, ZnO is grown over the preformed GCN through the wet-chemical approaches such as heating/refluxing/precipitation methods, − solvothermal methods, − hydrothermal methods, − and sol–gel hydrolysis under the assistance of bases and other additives. The ZnO thus formed will have strong adhesion with GCN to form a stable heterojunction.…”