Investigation of g-C₃N₄/Ce₂(WO₄)₃ Nanocomposites for the Removal of Basic Dyes

Herein, we have synthesized pristine and g-C₃N₄-assisted Ce₂(WO₄)₃ via a facile hydrothermal method. The structure was confirmed with the standard JCPDS card. g-C₃N₄ encapsulated the crystal and reduced the size. The Raman spectra revealed the presence of Ce-O, W-O stretching and bending vibrations. Electron hole transfer facilitation and controllable recombination were altered by g-C₃N₄ heterojunction with cerium tungstate. Ce₂(WO₄)₃ possessed a larger band gap. As g-C₃N₄ was assisted, the band gap was reduced which facilitates Ce₂(WO₄)₃ to utilize more visible light. The prepared photocatalysts were used to investigate the model pollutant removal with visible light. The pure Janus Green B sample showed lesser efficiency, as it does not show self-degradation under light. As Ce₂(WO₄)₃ was added, it slightly improved the efficiency as it possesses lower electron hole transfer and high recombination. Thus, g-C₃N₄ was composited with Ce₂(WO₄)₃ to make heterojunctions which will enhance the photo-excited electron and hole transfer and decrease e^-/h⁺ recombination. The rate constant values of the photocatalysts were calculated, and the system follows the first-order pseudo-kinetic model. Ciprofloxacin, a well-known antibiotic, was also used to degrade under visible light. The pure sample showed lower efficiency, and the antibiotic was reduced well with the addition of prepared photocatalysts. The modification of Ce₂(WO₄)₃ with the optimum-level g-C₃N₄ facilitated electron hole charge transfer, and numerous adsorbed dye molecules on the photocatalyst surface made 0.1 g g-C₃N₄-Ce₂(WO₄)₃ a plausible photocatalyst for the water remediation process.