Hydrothermal synthesis of CeVO4/g-C3N4 Z-scheme photocatalyst for removal of dyes under photocatalysis

Wastewater treatment emerged as the major concern as the water scarcity increases. Photocatalysis is the efficient way to reduce the pollutants from wastewater without causing destruction to environment. Herein, simplistic preparation of pristine and g-C3N4-CeVO4 nanocomposites for photocatalysis was explored. The structural, optical and vibrational study was confirmed by standard analysis. The samples possess good crystalline nature and g-C3N4 was corroborateed by XRD. The Raman modes were confirmed Ce-O and V-O bending and stretching bonds. The photocatalysts bandgap were narrow down on assisting g-C3N4 and the bandgap engineering was altered by g-C3N4 heterojunction. The morphology of CeVO4 and its composites showed the formation of ball-like structure and the sheets of g-C3N4 was also confirmed. Janus Green B (JG) dye was model pollutant and metal halide lamp was employed as light source. The prepared pure CeVO4 photocatalysts showed better efficiency. Nevertheless, g-C3N4 assisted sample shows good efficiency and greater rate constant. This was characteristic feature of proper heterojunction development amid g-C3N4 and CeVO4. CeVO4, 0.1 g g-C3N4-CeVO4 and 0.2 g g-C3N4-CeVO4 rate constant were 9.2 x 10(-4), 1.1 x 10(-2), 1.54 x 10(-2) and 2 x 10(-2) min(-1). The photogenerated electrons and holes were enthusiastically break up and reactive species were generated which paved the path for enhanced photocatalytic removal of pollutants. Among various photocatalysts, 0.2 g g-C3N4-CeVO4 is prospective material for wastewater remediation process.