Efficient photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants using α-SnWO4 with g-C3N4 nanocomposites for wastewater remediation.

Abstract

Wastewater management has become necessary in this industrialized era to meet the water needs of the world. Wastewater is one of the major crises in depletion of the environment. Photocatalysis is considered as the best way to remove pollutants. Therefore, in this study, pure and g-C₃N₄-SnWO₄ nanocomposites were produced employing hydrothermal route. Prepared composites were studied by various techniques. SnWO₄ band gap were altered by introduction of g-C₃N₄. The morphology was uniformly developed by the addition of g-C₃N₄ to the SnWO₄. Evans Blue dye was employed as model pollutant. The photocatalytic action was improved by adding g-C₃N₄, which formed a heterojunction with SnWO₄. The calculated rate constant was 0.000878, 0.0068, 0.01 and 0.0122 min^-1 for EB, SnWO₄-EB, 0.1g g-C₃N₄-SnWO₄-EB and 0.2g g-C₃N₄-SnWO₄-EB. The rate constant increased for 0.2 g g-C₃N₄-SnWO₄ photocatalyst. A heterojunction appeared between g-C₃N₄ and SnWO₄ facilitated SnWO₄ for better e^-/h⁺pair's separation and a lower recombination rate, which increased photocatalytic action of product. 0.2 g of g-C₃N₄-SnWO₄ is a promising candidate for future wastewater degradation.