Enhanced photocatalytic activity of Jamun-like Zn 2 V 2 O 7 /C-dots/g-C 3 N 4 nanocomposites for Rhodamine B degradation under the visible light radiation

In this present report, we prepared a novel Jamun-like structured Zn 2 V 2 O 7 and carbon dots (C-dots)-decorated g-C 3 N 4 (Zn 2 V 2 O 7 /C-dots/g-C 3 N 4 ) ternary nanocomposite material for the degradation of the Rhodamine B (Rh·B) The Zn 2 V 2 O 7 /C-dots/g-C 3 N 4 nanocomposite was synthesized using simple pyrolysis route. Various physicochemical characterizations were used to substantiate the synthesized nanomaterials including high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies, respectively. Photoluminescence studies (PL) proved that the Zn 2 V 2 O 7 /C-dots/g-C 3 N 4 nanocomposite has fewer recombination rate than the bare g-C 3 N 4 during the photoexcitation process. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies confirmed the Zn 2 V 2 O 7 /C-dots/g-C 3 N 4 nanocomposite has quicker electron transfer efficiency toward the degradation of Rh·B than the pure Zn 2 V 2 O 7 . Finally, as-synthesized Zn 2 V 2 O 7 /C-dots/g-C 3 N 4 nanocomposite was applied to investigate the photodegradation of the persistent organic pollutant Rh·B under the visible light irradiation. The as-prepared Zn 2 V 2 O 7 /C-dots/g-C 3 N 4 nanocomposite exhibited superior photocatalytic performance toward the degradation of Rh·B than the pure g-C 3 N 4 and Zn 2 V 2 O 7 . Furthermore, this Zn 2 V 2 O 7 /C-dots/g-C 3 N 4 nanocomposite has the ability to degrade 97% of Rh·B within 30 min. The Zn 2 V 2 O 7 /C-dots/g-C 3 N 4 nanocomposite exhibited admirable structural stability toward the degradation of Rh·B upon recycling experiments. The plausible mechanism of photodegradation of Zn 2 V 2 O 7 /C-dots/g-C 3 N 4 nanocomposite was carefully discussed.