Synergistic Wastewater Detoxification Using h-BN and g-C3N4: Understanding the Photo-Assisted Charge Carrier Dynamics

Abstract

A hybrid material combining graphene-like hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄), activated by visible light, was synthesized using a straightforward pyrolysis method. The hybrid structure was confirmed through various characterization techniques like XRD, SEM, and TEM, etc. Evaluations using rhodamine B (RhB) degradation under visible light revealed outstanding performance, with the hybrid photocatayst containing 0.5% h-BN in g-C₃N₄ achieving nearly complete degradation within 60 min while the pristine g-C₃N₄ showed 55% degradation under similar experimental conditions and the rate of degradation increased up to three times after the incorporation of h-BN. This exceptional performance was attributed to the efficient separation of photoinduced charge carriers. The hybrid's significant specific surface area facilitated ample surface-active sites for pollutant adsorption and degradation. Moreover, its stable structure and appropriate bandgap contributed to enhanced efficiency in pollutant removal. The study proposes a degradation mechanism based on these findings, marking a significant advancement in 2D/2D photocatalyst systems for both energy and environmental applications.