Facile synthesis of efficient MoS2-coupled graphitic carbon nitride Z-scheme heterojunction nanocomposites: photocatalytic removal of methylene blue dye under solar light irradiation

Among different types of semiconductor photocatalysts, MoS2 hybridized with graphitic carbon heterojunction has developed the most promising "celebrity" due to its static chemical properties, suitable band structure, and facile synthesis. Physiochemical and surface characterizations were revealed with structural, electronic, and optical analysis. Diffused reflectance spectroscopy evidenced the energy band gap tailoring from 2.62 eV for pure g-C3N4 and 1.68 eV for MoS2 to 2.12 eV for the hybridized heterojunction nanocomposite. Effective electron/hole pair separation, rise in redox species, and great utilization of solar range because of band gap modifying leading to greater degradation efficacy of g-C3N4/MoS2 heterojunction. The photocatalytic degradation with MoS2/g-C3N4 heterojunction catalyst to remove methylene blue dye was remarkably enriched and much higher than g-C3N4. By carefully examining the stimulus aspects, a probable mechanism is suggested, assuming that the concurring influence of MoS2 and g-C3N4, the lesser crystallite size, and more solubility in aquatic solution furnish the efficient e--h+ pair separation and tremendous photocatalytic degradation activity. This work delivers a novel idea to improve the efficient MoS2/g-C3N4 heterojunction for improved photocatalytic degradation in environmental refinement.