Abstract
Photocatalytic degradation of pollutants and disinfection of pathogens under sunlight is a propitious approach to solve the problem of environmental pollution. Herein, we fabricated a series of heterostructure nanocomposites (NCs) by the incorporation of 5% Co@ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) with diverse contents (10–75 wt%) of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4). An inimitable ternary nanocomposite designed by integrating g-C3N4 and Co@ZnO produced a large number of heterojunctions and active sites for contaminant photocatalysis. The characterization of the fabricated samples was accomplished by XRD, FTIR, SEM, TEM, UV-Vis spectroscopy, BET surface area, and transient photocurrent response. Among the series of (0–9%) Co@ZnO NPs, the 5% Co@ZnO NPs presented maximum methylene blue (MB) photocatalytic degradation under sunlight. Fascinatingly, the ternary heterostructure (60% g-C3N4/5% Co@ZnO) developed by the incorporation of 5% Co@ZnO NPs with 60% g-C3N4 demonstrated an appreciable improvement in photocatalytic activity and completely degraded MB dye in 60 min as compared to 57% by 5% Co@ZnO NPs. The antibacterial efficiency of the photocatalysts was investigated employing the good diffusion procedure counter to Gram-positive (G+ve) and Gram-negative (G-ve) microbes. Ternary 60% g-C3N4/5% Co@ZnO heterostructure demonstrated an outstanding antibacterial action compared to its counterparts. The enriched photocatalytic and bactericidal propensity of the 60% g-C3N4/5% Co@ZnO NC was principally endorsed to the synergic effects of the heterojunctions created at the g-C3N4 and Co@ZnO NPs interface. The purposed study gives a good perceptiveness for designing an appropriate visible‐light‐driven photocatalyst with good environmental remediation applications.
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•Highly efficient Co@ZnO NC has been successful integration with fabric like g-C3N4 sheets.•g-C3N4/Co@ZnO NC produced a large number of heterojunctions and active sites for catalysis reactions.•g-C3N4/Co@ZnO NC demonstrated 100% dye degradation in 60 min.•g-C3N4/Co@ZnO NC exhibited maximum bactericidal action against Staphylococcus aureus (G+ve).