Solvent free solid-state synthesis of Pr6O11/g-C3N4 visible light active photocatalyst for degradation of AV7 dye

Journal Article · Thu Nov 15 04:00:00 EST 2018 · Materials Research Bulletin

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATERRESBULL.2018.07.022· OSTI ID:22805293

Shende, Ashok G.; Vidyasagar, Devthade; Umare, Suresh S. ^[1]; Ghugal, Sachin G. ^[2]; Kokane, Sanjay B. ^[3]; Jagannath, ^[4]; Sasikala, Rajamma ^[5]

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1. Materials and Catalysis Laboratory, Department of Applied Chemistry, Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), Nagpur (India)
2. School of Chemistry, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad (India)
3. Thin Films and Nanomaterials Laboratory, Department of Physics, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune (India)
4. Technical Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Trombay, Mumbai (India)
5. Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Trombay, Mumbai (India)

Highlights: • A new combination of Pr{sub 6}O{sub 11}/g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} photocatalyst is synthesized by simple solvent free solid state method. • The photocatalytic activity of Pr{sub 6}O{sub 11}/g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} is investigated by degradation of AV7 dye under visible light. • Improved performance is attributed to enhanced visible light absorption and efficient charge separation as evidenced by photoelectrochemical study. • Pr{sub 6}O{sub 11}/g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} also exhibit super capacitance behavior. - Abstract: A new Pr{sub 6}O{sub 11}/g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} heterostructure material has been prepared by single step solvent free solid state method for photocatalytic environmental cleaning application using visible light. The Pr{sub 6}O{sub 11}/g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} heterostructure exhibits enhanced visible light absorption, resulting in improved photoelectrochemical properties and photocatalytic performance. The optimized composition of Pr{sub 6}O{sub 11}/g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} composite shows improved degradation kinetics and completely degrades AV7 dye within 20 min of visible light irradiation. Photoluminescence and electrochemical studies suggest better separation of photogenerated charge carriers in the composite compared to single phase materials. This is further substantiated by the improved photocurrent response of the composite. The notable increase of photocatalytic activity of Pr{sub 6}O{sub 11}/g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} heterostructure is ascribed to the improved visible light absorption, reduced band gap and better separation of photogenerated electrons and holes. To the best of our knowledge, this new heterostructure photocatalyst is found to be more efficient for the degradation of AV7 dye compared to the systems reported so far.

• OSTI ID: 22805293
• Journal Information: Materials Research Bulletin, Journal Name: Materials Research Bulletin Vol. 107; ISSN MRBUAC; ISSN 0025-5408
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ABSORPTION
CAPACITANCE
CARBON NITRIDES
CHARGE CARRIERS
DYES
ELECTROCHEMISTRY
ELECTRONS
HOLES
IRRADIATION
PHOTOCATALYSIS
PHOTOCURRENTS
PHOTOLUMINESCENCE
PRASEODYMIUM OXIDES
SYNTHESIS
VISIBLE RADIATION