Synergistic effect of g-C3N4 nanosheets/Ag3PO4 microcubes as efficient n-p-type heterostructure based photoanode for photoelectrocatalytic dye degradation

In the present investigation, layered graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was hybridized with Ag3PO4 via in situ precipitation route to design heterojunction structure. The crystal structure, textural, morphology, thermal stability and optical proprieties of the as-prepared materials was systematically characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nitrogen adsorption-desorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The g-C3N4/Ag3PO4 composite was immobilized on FTO substrate to develop a photoanode catalyst, which was used in a typical photoelectrocatalytic process for Rhodamine B degradation. The results indicate that the g-C3N4/Ag3PO4 composite exhibit a higher photoelectrocatalytic activity for rhodamine B degradation due to the charge transfer/separation properties and prolonged lifetime of charge carriers as it was confirmed by photocurrent and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results.