Novel g-C3N4/CdTiO3 Heterostructures with Improved Photocatalytic Activity Under Visible Light Irradiation

Abstract

Pramendra Kumar Pandey, Revati Raman Chaubey, Arvind Kumar Singh, Gyandeshwar K Rao and Bharat Kumar*

The persistent presence of organic dyes in wastewater poses a serious threat to aquatic ecosystems and human health, necessitating the development of efficient visible-light-responsive photocatalysts. In this study, a g-C3N4/CdTiO3 heterostructured photocatalyst was synthesized via sonication and in-situ approaches for the enhanced photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible-light irradiation. Structural and microscopic analyses revealed the formation of an intimate heterointerface between thin, layered g-C3N4 nanosheets and CdTiO3 particles, which facilitates rapid interfacial charge transfer. The composite exhibited broadened visible-light absorption and significantly suppressed electron–hole recombination compared to the individual components. Band alignment analysis suggests that the photocatalytic process proceeds via an S-scheme heterojunction mechanism, retaining highly oxidative holes and strongly reductive electrons responsible for efficient RhB degradation. The optimized g-C3N4/CdTiO3 nanocomposite showed markedly enhanced RhB removal efficiency and reaction kinetics relative to pristine g-C3N4 and CdTiO3. Furthermore, the catalyst demonstrated excellent stability and repeatability over successive photocatalytic cycles, indicating strong structural integrity and reusability. The improved photocatalytic performance is attributed to synergistic effects arising from effective charge separation, strong interfacial interaction, and preserved redox capability. This work highlights the potential of g-C3N4/CdTiO3 S-scheme heterostructures as efficient photocatalysts for dye-contaminated wastewater treatment.

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