Efficient photocatalytic reduction of nitroaromatic compounds at visible light using a novel P-doped g-C3N4/BiVO4 heterojunction nanocomposite

Successful synthesis of P-doped g-C3N4/BiVO4-X% heterojunction nanocomposites with various BiVO4 weight percent (%X) is reported in this research using a feasible and effective low temperature hydrothermal approach. G-C3N4 was first fabricated by calcination, followed by P doping to improve the photocatalytic features. BiVO4 nanoparticles were prepared by hydrothermal method and then coupled to P-doped g-C3N4. The prepared BiVO4, g-C3N4, P-doped g-C3N4, and P-doped g-C3N4/BiVO4 were characterized by various methods. Various nitroaromatic compounds (NACs) were reduced to their corresponding beneficial amines in the presence of hydrazine monohydrate as reducing agent under visible light to test the photocatalytic activity of the samples. The study also explored how solvent type and substitution groups would affect benzene ring. GC–MS analysis was used to investigate the reaction products and elucidate the involved mechanism. Among the prepared nanocomposite heterojunctions, P-doped g-C3N4/BiVO4-10 % revealed superior photocatalytic function for the reduction of NACs in about 1 h. The results confirmed enhanced photocatalytic activity for the prepared P-doped g-C3N4/BiVO4 heterojunction photocatalysts in reduction of NACs. This research is the first report of a simple hydrothermal method for synthesis of P-doped g-C3N4/BiVO4 nanocomposites and their application in the photocatalytic reduction of NACs.