Fabrication of novel g-C3N4 based MoS2 and Bi2O3 nanorod embedded ternary nanocomposites for superior photocatalytic performance and destruction of bacteria

Abstract

Highly efficient g-C₃N₄ based MoS₂/Bi₂O₃ nanorod embedded novel nanocomposites (g-C₃N₄/MoS₂/Bi₂O₃) were effectively fabricated by a hydrothermal–calcination method. The chemical composition, deep morphology, structure, optical absorption, and photocatalytic properties of the as-obtained g-C₃N₄/MoS₂/Bi₂O₃ photocatalysts were considered and discussed. The HR-TEM results obviously suggested that the MoS₂/Bi₂O₃ nanorods were well dispersed on the g-C₃N₄ surface without clear aggregation. The superior photocatalytic efficacy of the g-C₃N₄/MoS₂/Bi₂O₃ nanocomposites under visible-light irradiation has been evaluated by methylene blue (MB) dye photodegradation. After 90 min of visible-light exposure, close to 98.5% decolourization was attained and the removal rate of MB dye of the g-C₃N₄/MoS₂/Bi₂O₃ photocatalyst was 1.4 and 3.6 fold larger than that of the as-obtained g-C₃N₄ and g-C₃N₄-MoS₂ photocatalysts, respectively. The greater photocatalytic action of g-C₃N₄/MoS₂/Bi₂O₃ nanocomposites might be inhibited by recombination and increased migration/separation of photo-excited charges (e⁻/h⁺), smaller bandgap, and their consistent absorption of visible-light as well. In addition, the as-prepared nanocomposites exhibited better antibacterial activity against both E. coli and S. aureus bacteria. Also, these novel g-C₃N₄/MoS₂/Bi₂O₃ nanocomposites have great potential for visible-light induced destruction of organic dyes in industrial wastewater.