Fabrication of Ag@SrTiO3/g-C3N4 heterojunctions for H2 production and the degradation of pesticides under visible light

In the present study, we have fabricated Ag-doped STO/g-CN heterojunctions and the fabricated heterostructure was characterized. The photo-electrochemical performance including PL, photocurrent, (EIS), and TR-FS were also determined. The fabricated nanocomposites were used for the photocatalytic hydrogen production and degradation of the pesticide, Dicofol. Photocatalytic properties (bandgap), band potentials (EVB and ECB), and band structures were determined using Mott-Schottky and DSR study. The hydrogen production rate of Ag(3)STO/g-CN was found to be 645.62 µmol.g−1.h−1 which is about 2 times higher than that of pristine STO/g-CN. The formed intermediates and catalytic mechanism for the degradation of Dicofol have supported DFT calculation and LC-MS spectra. The results revealed that the fabricated nanocomposites exhibit ultrafast photocatalytic activity and about 92.2 % degradation was noticed within 60 min. The reusability was carried out and the photocatalyst retains its catalytic activity about 95% after 6 cycles.