Visible light active g-C3N4 sheets/CdS heterojunction photocatalyst for decolourisation of acid blue (AB-25)

Abstract

Chalcogenide-based semiconductors have attracted research interest due to their potential applications in electronics, energy storage devices, solar cells, and water treatment. In this study, g-C3N4 sheets/CdS (CNs/CdS) heterojunction nanocomposites were synthesized using the hydrothermal synthesis method. The CNs/CdS nanocomposites were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and UV-visible DRS techniques. The FESEM analysis confirmed the formation of CdS wild-berry like structure and successful attachment of CdS to the surface of g-C3N4 nanosheets. The PL results indicated reduced rate of electron-hole pair recombination for the 10% CNs/CdS. Upon application of photocatalytic decolourisation of AB-25 with 10% CNs/CdS, there was 99.3% dye removal efficiency achieved after 180 min. The CNs/CdS catalyst was observed to be stable after 4 repeated cycles, and this could be a pivotal character for real wastewater treatment application by this catalyst.