Hydro and Solvothermal Synthesis of CuxO/g-C3N4 Nanoparticles for the Photocatalytic Removal of 2,4-Dichlorophenol in an Aqueous Solution

A series of CuxO/ g-C3N4 nanocatalysts were synthesized through solvothermal and hydrothermal techniques, utilizing g-C3N4 ratios ranging from 10% to 30%. The physicochemical properties of the resulting photocatalysts were analyzed using various techniques, including X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, EDXs (energydispersive X-ray spectroscopy), and scanning electron microscopy. The photocatalytic performance of the synthesized nanomaterials was assessed by measuring the degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) in an aqueous medium under visible irradiation. The composite materials successfully degraded 2,4-DCP within 240 minutes. The composite containing 30% Cu2O with g-C3N4 achieved a 50% reduction in the initial concentration, while the 20% CuO with g-C3N4 surpassed 90% degradation of the initial concentration. Our findings indicate that the incorporation of CuO and Cu2O on the surface of g-C3N4 nanosheets enhances the photocatalytic oxidation of 2,4-DCP in an aqueous suspension. The experimental data demonstrated that the degradation kinetics of 2, 4-DCP adhered to a pseudo-first-order kinetic model. Notably, the 30% CuO/ g-C3N4 and 20% Cu2O/ g-C3N4 composites exhibited effective degradation of 2, 4-DCP under the tested conditions. The total carbon content was significantly reduced, as verified by the TOC analyzer, and UV-Vis spectroscopy confirmed a substantial decrease in 2,4-DCP concentration within the 240-minute timeframe.