Preparation and characterization of the Cu, Fe co-doped Bi2Ti2O7/EG-g-C3N4 material for organic model pollutants removal under direct sun light irradiation

• Published in: Materials research bulletin 2021-11, Vol.143, p.111439, Article 111439
• Main Authors: Jayaraman, Venkatesan, Ayappan, Chinnadurai, Vattikondala, Ganesh, Mani, Alagiri
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalyst; Ciprofloxacin; Pyrochlore; Rhodamine B; X-ray diffraction
• ISSN: 0025-5408; 1873-4227
• DOI: 10.1016/j.materresbull.2021.111439

•An efficient Cu, Fe co-doped Bi2Ti2O7/EG-g-C3N4 interface material was prepared.•Photo-catalytic removal efficiency of CIP and RhB by Cu, Fe co-doped Bi2Ti2O7/EG-g-C3N4 has been estimated.•The doping of the Cu and Fe ions in the Bi2Ti2O7 base cell are highly increasing the visible light response.•Possible charge transfer mechanism in the photocatalytic system was proposed based on the trapping experiment.•Factors behind the increased photocatalytic efficiency was analyzed and discussed. The following hindrances should be overcome to enhance the efficacy of photo-catalysts such as a poor-visible light response, high charge-carrier recombination rate, less surface area, and inappropriate band-edge alignment for photo-induced redox reaction. This study reported, visible light responsive Cu, Fe-co-doped Bi2Ti2O7/EG-g-C3N4 catalyst for photo-removal of organic pollutants. Series of characterization tools are used to testify and demonstrate the properties of formed material. The photo-removal efficiency of Cu, Fe-co-doped Bi2Ti2O7/EG-g-C3N4 hybrids are estimated to be 69.5 and 83.69% for ciprofloxacin and Rhodamine B organic molecules. Free radical trapping experiments were carried to predict active radical's participating in the reaction. The possible reaction mechanism was explained based on band edge potentials and trapping experiment results. This reporting Cu, Fe-co-doped Bi2Ti2O7/EG-g-C3N4 catalyst showed good durability. This work gives a new insight into coupling tactics of Cu, Fe-co-doped Bi2Ti2O7 and g-C3N4 material and which will helpful for designing efficient photocatalytic materials. [Display omitted]