BWO nano-octahedron coupled with layered g-C3N4: An efficient visible light active photocatalyst for degradation of cationic/anionic dyes, and N2 reduction.

The challenges like the removal of organic pollutants from the wastewater, and photocatalytic reduction of N 2 using solar energy are achievable by stable, low cost, and a visible light active semiconductor mediated photocatalysis. A novel 0.4BWO/g-C 3 N 4 heterostructure achieves excellent degradation of cationic/anionic dyes and N 2 reduction under visible light illumination. The 0.4BWO/g-C 3 N 4 exhibits 99.8% degradation efficiency towards the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB), which is 2.2-fold compared to commercial catalyst Degussa P25. 0.4BWO/g-C 3 N 4 composite also efficiently degraded AV7, IC, DB 71 dyes and photo-reduce N 2 to NH 3. The incorporation of BWO nano-octahedron into the g-C 3 N 4 network suppress the recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs and follow Z-scheme electron transfer pathway in 0.4BWO/g-C 3 N 4 heterostructure. The notable separation of electron-hole pairs is well described by photoluminescence, time-resolved fluorescence, and impedance spectroscopy study. The finding presented here provides new insight into typical design and engineering of a stable and visible light active heterostructure for degradation of dyes and N 2 reduction. Image 1 • The great advantages of 0.4BWO/g-C 3 N 4 are to neutralize organic dyes and N 2 reduction. • A BWO octahedron nanoparticle makes g-C 3 N 4 for efficient photocatalyst under visible light. • The degradation and N 2 reduction efficiency of the catalyst remain significant after four cycles. • Role of solvent, sacrificial agent, nitrogen atmosphere in N 2 reduction is discussed in brief. • The Z-scheme mechanism involved for degradation and N 2 fixation is elucidated in details. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]