Enhancement of graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C ₃ N ₄ ) assisted photodegradation of Rhodamine B under visible light

Abstract

Abstract In the current work, the g‐C 3 N 4 photocatalyst was produced by thermal polycondensation of melamine. The Characterization techniques XRD, SEM, FTIR, UV‐DRS, PL, and BET were investigated to find out inherent properties. The PL spectra of the g‐C 3 N 4 photocatalyst showed good absorbance in visible regions for faster degradation of Rhodamine B (RhdB). The synthesized g‐C 3 N 4 photocatalyst is employed for decolorization and demineralization of RhdB about 73 % and 80 % in 105 min and 480 min under visible light. Further, the addition of H 2 O 2 and H 2 SO 4 to RhdB solution in the presence of g‐C 3 N 4 showed enhanced results when compared to g‐C 3 N 4 alone. Moreover, it reduces the time for the removal of RhdB. Simultaneously impeding shift of the maximum absorption peak of RhdB represents alteration of the degradation mechanism. Under alike conditions of photodegradation, after the addition of H 2 O 2 and H 2 SO 4 to the dye solution. The removal of RhdB is enhanced to 98 % and 95 % in 40 min, and 60 min for 5 mg/l and 10 mg/l respectively for H 2 O 2 . Further, the addition of H 2 SO 4 enhances efficiency up to 87 %, and 95 % in 50 min, and 80 min respectively for 5 mg/l and 10 mg/l. The overall H 2 O 2 addition showed better efficiency and better rate constants.