Investigation on novel Cu2O modified g-C3N4/ZnO heterostructures for efficient photocatalytic dye degradation performance under visible-light exposure

Abstract Highly efficient recyclable photocatalysts of ternary g-C3N4-ZnO/Cu2O nanocomposite were designed for photo-degradation of RhB dye. The structural, morphological, surface structure and optical properties of the as-prepared nanocomposites (NCs) were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, FE-SEM with EDS, HRTEM, XPS, BET, UV–Vis DRS and PL spectra analysis respectively. The photo-degradation efficiencies of RhB dye over the g-C3N4, g-C3N4/ZnO, g-C3N4/Cu2O and g-C3N4-ZnO/Cu2O photocatalysts (PCs) were 36.4%, 53% and 66%, and 91.4% in 100 min under visible-light. The as-obtained g-C3N4-ZnO/Cu2O PCs was remarkably upgraded the photo-degradation efficiency rate than to other samples. Also, the heterojunction formation among the g-C3N4 and ZnO/Cu2O interfaces due to the development of visible-light absorption capability and photo-excited charge separation efficiency which was improved the photocatalytic performance. Besides, the g-C3N4-ZnO/Cu2O PCs exhibit a greater photo-degradation performance after five successive reuses. Hence, the eco-friendly PCs might be widely useful for the application of dye polluted wastewater treatment.