Photocatalytic degradation of organophosphorus pesticide (terbufos) in aqueous solutions using 3D-printed TaSe2/g-C3N4 nanocomposites

Abstract

The combination of transition metal dichalcogenide of TaSe₂ with a composite of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) and 3D printing technology enhanced the photocatalytic degradation of organophosphorus pesticide, terbufos from aqueous solutions using the 3D-printed TaSe₂/g-C₃N₄ nanocomposites. The 3D-printed TaSe₂/g-C₃N₄ composites efficiently degrade terbufos upon exposure to UV light, reaching more than 95% degradation of 10 ppm terbufos with a decomposition rate constant of 0.3305 min^-1. This rate is 37% more enhanced than that of TaSe₂/g-C₃N₄ (0.2409 min^-1) and 57.98% more than that of g-C₃N₄ (0.2092 min^-1). Under visible light, terbufos degradation was achieved in 90 min at a slower rate of 0.0492 min⁻¹, and 6.72 times less efficient than under UV light, emphasizing the superior efficiency of UV light for this system. Additionally, the mechanism, degradation pathway, and reusability of the materials are explored, underscoring the potential of 3D-printed TaSe₂/g-C₃N₄ as a potential nanocomposite for photocatalytic applications.