One-pot room temperature construction of bismuth oxybromide (BiOBr) embedded g-C3N4 matters: A heterojunction photocatalyst for dye degradation and chromium (VI) reduction in presence of direct sunlight

Abstract

The use of semiconductor photocatalysts for the treatment of contaminated water, including inorganic and organic contaminants, has gained popularity in recent years. However, the photocatalysts are still constrained by issues such as limited surface active sites, excessive charge carrier recombination, and poor visible light consumption. Herein, bismuth oxybromide (BiOBr) nanoplate embedded g-C₃N₄ heterojunction photocatalyst was effectively fabricated via a one-pot room temperature self-association technique. Then, numerous strategies were used to figure out how the building of the heterojunction photocatalysts affected their ability to eliminate different pollutants. Under direct sunshine exposure, 20 % BiOBr/g-C₃N₄ (BCN-20) was able to degrade 97.6 % of RhB and 98.6 % of MB in 80 min and also reduced 95 % Cr(VI) after 90 min. Moreover, the degradation efficiency and reduction capability of BCN-20 heterojunction is superior compared to both g-C₃N₄ and BiOBr. Additionally, the BCN-20 photocatalyst has much greater stability. The increased activity may be due to the tighter interface interaction, the higher surface area, and the very strong separation of photo-induced electrons and holes. Based on experimental findings, a Z-scheme framework has been suggested to elucidate the charge carrier transfer process. The primary active substances for the photocatalytic breakdown of RhB and MB dye, according to the radical trapping tests, are holes (h⁺) and superoxide radicals (•O₂⁻). Also, for photocatalytic reduction of Cr (VI), the primary active species are •O₂⁻ and electron (e⁻). This paper describes an easy process to fabricate photocatalysts for usage in environmental and associated issues.