Synthesis of phosphate-bridged g-C3N4/LaFeO3 nanosheets Z-scheme nanocomposites as efficient visible photocatalysts for CO2 reduction and malachite green degradation

In this novel study, phosphate bridged p-type LaFeO3 nanosheets and n-type g-C(3)N(4 )nanosheets Z-scheme nanocomposites are successfully designed. Herein, our results confirmed that LaFeO3 nanosheets and g-C3N4 nanosheets have excellent performances as compared to nanosized LaFeO3 and g-C3N4 nanoparticles respectively. Based on TEM, HRTEM with elemental mapping, XRD, DRS, XPS, TR-PL, FTIR, TPD, PEC, BET and FS spectra related to center dot OH amount have confirmed that the fabrication of g-C3N4 nanosheets has successfully enhanced the charge separation and enlarged the surface area of LaFeO3 nanosheets. Correspondingly, the interfacing of phosphate bridge (P-O) with strong shuttling ability worked as linker and facilitator for photogenerated charge transfer and enhancement. In contrast to pristine LaFeO3 nanosheets (LFONS), the amount optimized resulting 15CNNS-3P-LFONS nanocomposites have 6-fold and 3.5-fold improvement in activities for CO2 reduction and malachite green degradation respectively. Based on scavenger experiments related to active species and photocatalytic pollutants degradation pathway mechanism, it is confirmed that h(+) and center dot O-2(-) is the vital species for malachite green degradation. Finally, we believe that our current novel research studies will open a new gateway for the synthesis of p-LaFeO3 and n-g-C3N4 type based Z-scheme and its utilization for energy production and environmental remediation.