Synthesis of TiO2-g-C3N4 for efficient photocatalytic degradation of Congo Red dye

Abstract

Heterogeneous photocatalysis is an efficient, cost effective and promising approach for pollution control and environmental remediation, however, the fast recombination of excitons inhibits the practical applications of photocatalysis. The construction of heterojunction is a viable solution that reduces the recombination of excitons by transfer of charge carriers resulting in improved catalytic performance. Here, the fabrication of a sunlight-active TiO₂-g-C₃N₄ photocatalyst by the hydrothermal process for the degradation of Congo red dye is reported. After characterization, TiO₂-g-C₃N₄ heterojunction was employed as a photocatalyst for the sunlight-light-assisted photodegradation of Congo red dye. The fabricated g-C₃N₄ and TiO₂-g-C₃N₄ exhibited 52 % and 100 % photodegradation of 50 mL (100 mg/L) of Congo red dye by irradiation in sunlight for 180 min, respectively. The hydroxyl radicals were major species involved in the photodegradation of Congo red dye.