Nanocomposite ZnO/g-C3N4 for Improved Degradation of Dyes under Visible Light: Facile Preparation, Characterization, and Performance Investigations

In this study, ZnO/g-C3N4 nanocomposites were prepared via a physical mixing-calcination process for improved degradation of dyes under visible light irradiation. The BET surface area, pore volume, crystal size, and pHpzc the composite 3.9 m2/g, 0.034 cm3/g, 18.1 nm, 7.7, respectively. Although morphology was very different from that pure g-C3N4, their average sizes similar. Eg (3.195 eV) slightly lower than ZnO (3.195) but much higher g-C3N4 (2.875). interface interaction which revealed by oscillations Zn-C, benefited transport photoinduced charge carriers reduced recombination electron-hole. As result, had photocatalytic activity g-C3N4. Its efficiency (DE) value methylene blue (MB) in 90 min rate constant 93.2 % 0.025 min‑1, addition, effects ZnO/urea molar ratio, catalyst dosage, solution pH, concentration dye on MB completely investigated. performance evaluated other persistent organic compounds, also compared to catalysts literatures. Copyright © 2022 Authors, Published BCREC Group. This is an open access article CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).