Interfacial Charge Transfer of B‐doped g‐C3N4/ZnIn2S4 p–n Heterojunction for Plasticizer Bisphenol‐A and Dye/Drug Intermediates, 2,4‐Dinitrophenol Degradation in Sunlight

Abstract

AbstractFabricating an efficient photocatalyst for solving energy and environmental pollution is challenging, especially using sunlight. Herein, a photocatalyst was developed to degrade plasticizer (Bisphenol A, BPA) and an industrial‐pollutant 2,4‐dinitrophenol (DNP) found in water bodies with sunlight. Several ZnIn2S4/B‐doped g‐C3N4 (ZIS@BCN) heterojunctions were prepared by an ultra‐sonochemical route followed by calcination. HRTEM, MS analysis, EIS, photocurrent, and synergic factor calculations were employed to confirm p‐n heterojunction. The phase purity and optical characteristics of the photocatalysts were determined by XRD, PL, and DRS UV‐Vis spectroscopy. A successful p‐n heterojunction 2 %ZIS@BCN showed better degradation efficiency than pristine ZIS (n‐type) and BCN (p‐type) semiconductors. Moreover, the best photocatalyst (2 % ZIS@BCN) exhibited maximum photo‐degradation of 83 % of BPA and 85 % of DNP under solar light illumination. The degradation pathways and involvement of reactive species were confirmed using LC–MS, trapping experiments, nitroblue‐tetrazolium, and terephthalic acid tests. The superior activity is ascribed to the successful formation of an electrical double layer (EDL) between p‐type BCN and n‐type ZIS, which minimizes the e−‐h+ recombination and thereby increases the visible light utilization efficiency. The work validates the formation of ZIS@BCN p‐n heterojunction, showing solar light‐driven photocatalytic degradation of toxic effluents found in water bodies.