PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF RHODAMINE USING Bi₂WO₆/ g-C₃N₄ COMPOSITE

Harnessing the power of photocatalysis stands out as a beacon of hope in the quest for environmental restoration. Using a coprecipitation method, highly efficient Bi₂WO₆/g-C₃N₄ heterojunction photocatalysts, activated by visible light, were successfully fabricated. The Bi₂WO₆/g-C₃N₄ composite materials underwent characterisation utilising X-ray diffraction, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The seamless fusion between Bi₂WO₆ and g-C₃N₄ fosters an environment where charge carriers are efficiently separated, minimising electron–hole recombination. This harmonious synergy enhances the photocatalytic prowess of the Bi₂WO₆/g-C₃N₄ composite, promising a brighter future for environmental remediation. The optical studies showed that the band gap of the composite was 2.71 eV. The parameters, such as initial dye concentration, pH and catalyst dosage, affecting photocatalytic activity were analysed and optimised. This study found that a pH of 2.5, a catalyst dosage of 30 mg, and a dye concentration of 5 ppm were the optimal parameters for this process. Under these conditions, the photocatalytic system achieved an impressive 95.649% degradation of Rhodamine B. The catalyst showed high stability up to five cycles. The kinetics of the photodegradation mechanism followed pseudo-first order. The rate constant of the composite showed that it folds greater than Bi₂WO₆, proving it to be an efficient photocatalyst.