3-Dimensional cube In₂O₃/g-C₃N₄ nanosheet composite for photodegradation of VOC-contaminated water

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Developing efficient photocatalysts is crucial for environmental remediation.
• Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is a promising material, but its photocatalytic efficiency can be limited.
• Indium oxide (In2O3) possesses unique properties that can enhance photocatalysis when combined with other materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize In2O3/g-C3N4 composites for photocatalytic applications.
• To investigate the effect of coupling In2O3 with g-C3N4 on charge carrier dynamics and photocatalytic activity.
• To evaluate the degradation efficiency of the composite materials for various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under visible light.

Main Methods:

• Hydrothermal synthesis was employed to create In2O3/g-C3N4 composites.
• Materials characterization included XRD, FTIR, SEM, XPS, PL, UV-DRS, and EIS.
• Photocatalytic activity was assessed by degrading benzene, MTBE, and 1-Butanol under visible light irradiation.

Main Results:

• The successful synthesis of In2O3/g-C3N4 composites was confirmed by various characterization techniques.
• The 20% In2O3/g-C3N4 composite demonstrated significantly enhanced degradation efficiency for all tested VOCs compared to pure In2O3 and g-C3N4.
• Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and photoluminescence studies provided insights into improved charge carrier separation and transfer within the composite.

Conclusions:

• The In2O3/g-C3N4 composite material exhibits excellent photocatalytic performance for VOC degradation.
• The enhanced activity is attributed to the synergistic effect and efficient charge separation at the In2O3/g-C3N4 interface.
• A Z-scheme mechanism is proposed to explain the photocatalytic process, highlighting its potential for environmental applications.