Design and Chemical Fabrication of MoxMn1-xFe2O4/g-C3N4 Nanocomposite for Photocatalytic Degradation of Direct Green 6 Dye: Environmental Cleaner Approach

Abstract

MoₓMn₁₋ₓFe₂O₄/g C₃N₄ nanocomposites were successfully synthesized via the hydrothermal method by incorporating mixed spinel ferrite (MoₓMn₁₋ₓFe₂O₄) nanoparticles onto graphitic carbon nitride (g C₃N₄) sheets to enhance visible light-driven photocatalytic performance. XRD, SEM, TEM, FT-IR, and UV-Vis were used to characterize the synthesized nanocomposites, and the successful formation of the heterostructure with an enhanced surface area and modified bandgap was observed. The MoₓMn₁₋ₓFe₂O₄/g C₃N₄ catalysts effectively showed improved photocatalytic degradation of Direct Green 6 (DG 6) dye under visible light irradiation, which is superior to g C₃N₄ and ferrite. The performance of the composite is enhanced due to the synergistic effect between MoₓMn₁₋ₓFe₂O₄ and g-C₃N₄ parts, where efficient separation of electron hole pairs and long light absorption take place. The degradation reaction of DG 6 was found to be of pseudo-first order, and the radical trapping experiments suggested that the major reactive oxygen species in the photocatalytic reaction were the superoxide radicals (•O₂⁻). The results show the potential of MoₓMn₁₋ₓFe₂O₄/g-C₃N₄ nanocomposites as an efficient visible light photocatalyst working for wastewater treatment applications.