Synthesis of G-C3N4/Mxene Composite for Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Eosin Y Dye in Aqueous Solutions Under Visible Light

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

1 Department of Environmental Technologies, Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, 1983969411, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Kharazmi University, 15719-14911 Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Resources, Tarbiat Modares University, 46414-356, Noor, Iran

Abstract

In this study, MXene nanosheets were utilized as a co-catalyst to modify the graphitic carbon nitride photocatalyst and synthesize the g-C3N4/MXene composite. Eosin Y dye was employed as a model organic pollutant to evaluate the photocatalytic degradation performance. Eosin Y, an anionic dye, poses significant environmental and health risks due to its resistance to biodegradation, as well as its toxicity and carcinogenicity. To synthesize this composite, graphitic carbon nitride was initially produced using a simple thermal polymerization method. Subsequently, it was protonated and assembled with MXene nanosheets through a self-assembly process. The MXene nanosheets were synthesized using a Mild method. Characterization and confirmation of the successful synthesis of the g-C3N4/MXene composite were conducted through X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analyses. The results of the Eosin Y degradation experiments indicated that the composite with a 7% weight ratio of MXene nanosheets exhibited the highest photocatalytic performance among the various weight ratios tested. The incorporation of MXene nanosheets more than doubled the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of graphitic carbon nitride. The MCN7 sample was able to remove 98% of 25 mg/L Eosin Y dye from an aqueous solution within 120 minutes, using a photocatalyst dosage of 0.4 g/L. The findings of this study demonstrate that the integration of MXene nanosheets with graphitic carbon nitride significantly enhances the photocatalytic performance of graphitic carbon nitride in the degradation of organic pollutants.

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References

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