In situ solid-state synthesis of a AgNi/g-C₃N₄ nanocomposite for enhanced photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic activity

Abstract

A graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) polymer matrix was embedded with AgNi alloy nanoparticles using a simple and direct in situ solid-state heat treatment method to develop a novel AgNi/g-C₃N₄ photocatalyst. The characterization confirms that the AgNi alloy particles are homogeneously distributed throughout the g-C₃N₄ matrix. The catalyst shows excellent photoelectrochemical activity for water splitting with a maximum photocurrent density of 1.2 mA cm⁻², which is the highest reported for doped g-C₃N₄. Furthermore, a detailed experimental study of the photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye using doped g-C₃N₄ showed the highest reported degradation efficiency of approximately 95 % after 90 min. The electronic conductivity increased upon incorporation of AgNi alloy nanoparticles on g-C₃N₄ and the material showed efficient charge carrier separation and transfer characteristics, which are responsible for the enhanced photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic performance under visible light.