Optimizing junction interface integrity between 3D/2D defect pyrochlore Bi1.8Fe0.2WO6 and g-C3N4 nanostructures: A novel multifunctional nanocomposite for enhanced photocatalytic and photo-electrocatalytic water splitting and water remediation applications
{"title":"Optimizing junction interface integrity between 3D/2D defect pyrochlore Bi1.8Fe0.2WO6 and g-C3N4 nanostructures: A novel multifunctional nanocomposite for enhanced photocatalytic and photo-electrocatalytic water splitting and water remediation applications","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.surfin.2024.105071","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In this work, a simplistic composite fabrication of defect pyrochlore Bi<sub>1.8</sub>Fe<sub>0.2</sub>WO<sub>6</sub> (BFWO) and g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> (g-CN) was carried out to augment the photocatalytic degradation kinetics and Hydrogen (H<sub>2</sub>) evolution rate. The structural confirmation through XRD and FTIR confirmed the successful formation of pristine g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>, BFWO NPs, and their composites. FESEM micrographs revealed multilayered sheet-like formation for C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> whereas irregular cuboid-shaped structure for BFWO NPs. In the composite formation, the sheets tended to appear wrapped around the BFWO NPs. The UV-DRS absorbance spectra exhibited a highlighted increase in the absorbance region towards the visible light region following a decrease in the band gap. The photoluminescence lifetime studies revealed an enhanced lifetime of excitons to 6.21 ns for 50:50 (g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>: BFWO) composite formation, whereas pristine g-CN displayed an average lifetime of about 4.79 ns. The degradation efficacy in the removal of RhB and MB from water revealed up to 100% and 95.5% removal rates in under 90 mins and 180 mins respectively using the 50:50 composite formation. Similarly, the H<sub>2</sub> evolution rate was significantly improved and exhibited up to 370 μmol/h/g. The photo-electrochemical studies revealed a sharp charge separation of excitons for 50:50 (g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>: BFWO) with a maximum photocurrent density of -0.54 μA/cm<sup>2</sup> @ 0 V which is 3.6 times and 13.5 times higher than bare g-CN and BFWO. 1.33 V <em>vs.</em> RHE for OER kinetics and -0.09 V <em>vs</em> RHE for HER kinetics were the minimal onset potential exhibited for equal ratios of BFWO and g-CN. Coupled with the heightened charge separation, reduced recombination rate, and optimal band edge positions, the photocatalytic efficiency in the degradation of RhB and MB and water-splitting reactions were improved.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":22081,"journal":{"name":"Surfaces and Interfaces","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":5.7000,"publicationDate":"2024-09-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Surfaces and Interfaces","FirstCategoryId":"88","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468023024012276","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"CHEMISTRY, PHYSICAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
In this work, a simplistic composite fabrication of defect pyrochlore Bi1.8Fe0.2WO6 (BFWO) and g-C3N4 (g-CN) was carried out to augment the photocatalytic degradation kinetics and Hydrogen (H2) evolution rate. The structural confirmation through XRD and FTIR confirmed the successful formation of pristine g-C3N4, BFWO NPs, and their composites. FESEM micrographs revealed multilayered sheet-like formation for C3N4 whereas irregular cuboid-shaped structure for BFWO NPs. In the composite formation, the sheets tended to appear wrapped around the BFWO NPs. The UV-DRS absorbance spectra exhibited a highlighted increase in the absorbance region towards the visible light region following a decrease in the band gap. The photoluminescence lifetime studies revealed an enhanced lifetime of excitons to 6.21 ns for 50:50 (g-C3N4: BFWO) composite formation, whereas pristine g-CN displayed an average lifetime of about 4.79 ns. The degradation efficacy in the removal of RhB and MB from water revealed up to 100% and 95.5% removal rates in under 90 mins and 180 mins respectively using the 50:50 composite formation. Similarly, the H2 evolution rate was significantly improved and exhibited up to 370 μmol/h/g. The photo-electrochemical studies revealed a sharp charge separation of excitons for 50:50 (g-C3N4: BFWO) with a maximum photocurrent density of -0.54 μA/cm2 @ 0 V which is 3.6 times and 13.5 times higher than bare g-CN and BFWO. 1.33 V vs. RHE for OER kinetics and -0.09 V vs RHE for HER kinetics were the minimal onset potential exhibited for equal ratios of BFWO and g-CN. Coupled with the heightened charge separation, reduced recombination rate, and optimal band edge positions, the photocatalytic efficiency in the degradation of RhB and MB and water-splitting reactions were improved.
期刊介绍:
The aim of the journal is to provide a respectful outlet for ''sound science'' papers in all research areas on surfaces and interfaces. We define sound science papers as papers that describe new and well-executed research, but that do not necessarily provide brand new insights or are merely a description of research results.
Surfaces and Interfaces publishes research papers in all fields of surface science which may not always find the right home on first submission to our Elsevier sister journals (Applied Surface, Surface and Coatings Technology, Thin Solid Films)