Architecture of a dual scheme MXene/CoFe2O4/g-C3N4 heterojunction for sustainable water remediation

Abstract

Water pollution, aggravated by the release of industrial dyes into the water bodies, is a significant environmental issue. This study presents the synthesis and characterization of a MXene-based composite, MXene/CoFe₂O₄/g-C₃N₄, tailored for enhanced photocatalytic dye degradation. The resulting composite is systematically analyzed through various physico-chemical and optical characterization techniques to explore the morphological features and photocatalytic efficacy. The results unveils a multilayered structure for MXene/CoFe₂O₄/g-C₃N₄, characterized by a suitable bandgap, enhanced light harvesting efficiency, as well as proficient charge carrier separation, and low recombination rate. It forms a Z-scheme/Schottky heterojunction exhibiting higher efficiency for degradation of rhodamine B (93.1 % in 180 min) under visible light. Active species like O₂^•− and ^•OH play a vital role in the photodegradation process, and the prepared catalyst exhibits a stable performance up to 5 cycles. This work reveals new possibilities for designing and fabricating heterojunction photocatalysts, showcasing excellent capabilities for efficient and sustainable environmental remediation.