Enhanced photocatalytic activity of transition metal ions doped g–C₃N₄ nanosheet activated by PMS for organic pollutant degradation

A layer nanostructure of g–C₃N₄ catalyst doped with transition metals like Ni, Co, and Fe were synthesized. The structure morphology of the metal doped g–C₃N₄ were studied using XRD, SEM-EDAX, UV-DRS and FT-IR spectroscopy techniques. The presence of transition metals enhanced the visible light absorbance and reduced the electron hole recombination. The efficiency of the catalyst was also enhanced using PMS activation and minimization of charge carrier recombination. The photocatalytic effect of the transition metal doped g–C₃N₄ nanosheet activated by PMS on the degradation of organic pollutants like Reactive Red 120, Orange G and 2-Amino-4-chlorophenol was investigated. Degradation efficiency in the case of RR120 was nearly 100% with Co–C₃N₄-PMS-Light system in a time duration of 120 min. Whereas it was 60% in 2-amino-4-chlorophenol and 100% in orange-G, in the same catalyst system and time duration. The findings reveal that the catalyst could play a key role in the treatment of organic pollutants.