Novel and facile strategy for immobilization of Ag3PW12 crystals on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3-N4) sheets, a superior photocatalyst for decomposition of organic waste.

The high electron-holes recombination rate in pure graphitic carbon nitride (C 3 –N 4) restrict their photocatalytic efficiency. In this research work, we successfully immobilized Ag 3 PW 12 O 40 a polyoxometalate-base crystal on graphitic carbon nitride 2D sheet through physical grinding method to prevent charges recombination on the surface. Both the materials were prepared separately and then grinded after mixing, to get C 3 –N 4 @Ag 3 PW 12 heterojunction. The prepared C 3 –N 4 @Ag 3 PW 12 composites were tested with different characterization techniques to confirm its structural integrity and successful fabrication of heterojunction. The composite catalyst showed expansion in UV light absorbance where it promotes from 406 nm to 454 nm for pure C 3 –N 4 and composite C 3 –N 4 @Ag 3 PW 12 -30 % respectively. The composite showed better electron-holes separation, confirmed from its electrochemical performance such as TPC (total photocurrent) and PL data. The prepared catalysts were tested for the degradation of two types of organic dyes such as methylene blue and Rhodamine B under photoirradiation. The C 3 –N 4 @Ag 3 PW 12 -30 % composite photocatalyst showed efficient photocatalytic activity and removed 99 % methylene blue in 75 min while removed 99.4 % Rhodamine B in 60 min while the pure Ag 3 PW 12 and C 3 –N 4 could only remove 26.3 % and 37.7 % methylen blue and 43.54 % and 53.38 % rhodamin B respectively, in the same conditions. The results show that, the Ag 3 PW 12 crystals deposition on C 3 –N 4 2D sheets is a preferred approach to enhance the catalytic performance of C 3 –N 4 2D sheet. [Display omitted] • Ag 3 PW 12 O 40 was immobilized on graphitic C 3 –N 2D sheet through physical grinding method to prevent charges recombination on the surface. • TPC (total photocurrent) and PL data confirmed that the composite showed better electron-holes separation. • The C 3 –N 4 @Ag 3 PW 12 -30 % composite removed 99 % methylene blue in 75 min while removed 99.4 % rhodamin B in 60 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]