Architecting the Z-scheme heterojunction of GdO/g-CN nanocomposites for enhanced visible-light-induced photoactivity towards organic pollutants degradation.

A basic calcination process in one step was employed to create g-CN photocatalytic composites modified by GdO nanoparticles. SEM (scanning electron microscopy), FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy), XRD (X-ray diffraction), EIS (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy), PL (photoluminescence studies) as well as TEM (transmission electron microscopy), XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), and CV (cyclic voltammetry) were employed to explain the structural traits, optical properties, and morphological features of the processed photocatalyst. The findings show that GdO(Gd) does not affect the sample's crystalline structure but rather increases g-CN surface area by spreading it superficially. Furthermore, Gd can redshift the light absorption peak, reduce the energy gap, and improve the efficiency with which photogenerated holes and electrons are removed in g-CN. The surface morphology of g-CN, in particular, could be significantly enhanced. We similarly employed three distinct photocatalytic complexes of GdO and g-CN in 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1 proportions to degrade methylene blue (MB). After 100 min in visible light (400-800 nm), the photodegradation rate of composites is 58.8% for 1:1 (GG1), 94.5% for 2:1 (GG2), and 92% for 3:1 (GG3). In addition to the MB dye, the photocatalytic activity of synthesized materials was also studied for methyl orange. The result shows phenomenal degradation values, i.e.; for GG1 86%, GG2 96%, and for GG3 84.6%. The narrow band gap that separates the photogenerated electron and hole enhances g-CN ability to degrade photo-catalytically. From the result, we concluded that the photocurrent and cyclic photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue shows that a composition of 2:1 GdO/g-CN has high photocatalytic stability.