Z-scheme designed LaNiO3/g-C3N4/MWCNT nanohybrid with bifunctional photocatalytic applications under visible light

Photocatalysis is a flexible method of transforming solar energy into chemical energy. It has great potential for detoxification of wastewater and hydrogen production through water splitting. This study presents the synthesis of a Z-scheme-designed LaNiO3/g-C3N4/MWCNT (LGM) nanohybrid using a simple hydrothermal approach. Standard analytical techniques were employed to conduct a thorough characterization of the designed materials. The developed nanohybrid is designed to enhance the electron-hole pairs separation and conveyance of charge carriers through multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). A series of nanohybrids have been synthesized, which showed a remarkable photocatalytic degradation for methyl orange (MO, 90%) and bisphenol A (BPA, 95%). The maximum degradation was recorded using 20 wt% LaNiO3/g-C3N4/MWCNT (20LGM) nanohybrid. Furthermore, the synergistic production of hydrogen was found to be 19.62 mmolg−1cat over 10 wt% LaNiO3/g-C3N4/MWCNT (10LGM) nanohybrid under visible light irradiation. The photocatalytic efficiency remains nearly unchanged after four cycles representing the photochemical stability of the nanohybrids. The outcomes of the trapping study showed that superoxide radical anions (O2•-) and hydroxyl radicals (•OH) are actively involved in the degradation of the organic compounds. These results provide important information for photocatalytic environmental remediation and sustainable energy production as well.