Design of novel Z-scheme Ce2(WO4)3 heterostructure using tubular g-C3N4 for boosted photocatalytic performance via effective electron transfer pathway

Abstract

Herein, we report a novel Z-scheme heterostructure catalyst based on tubular shaped graphitic carbon nitride with cerium tungstate catalysts synthesized by ultrasonic-assisted thermal impregnation route. The physicochemical, morphological and optical features of the materials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-vis diffuse reflectance (UV-vis DRS), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and N2-adsorption-desorption measurements. The results demonstrated that the Ce2(WO4)3/g-C3N4 hybrid catalyst achieved superior photo- catalytic activity although they had poor performance individually. The kinetic rate constant of the hybrid sample was calculated as 0.0134 min-1 which was 3.4 times higher than the pristine Ce2(WO4)3 for the degradation of tetracycline antibiotic under visible light irradiation. The improved catalytic activity was assigned to higher surface area, narrower band gap energy and formation of Z-scheme heterojunction mechanism between Ce2(WO4)3 and g-C3N4 according to band structure analysis. This research demonstrated the potential utilization and modification of Ce2(WO4)3 as a new metal tungstate in the photocatalytic remediation of different types of pollutants.