Deposited CuBi₂O₄ and Bi₃ClO₄ nanoparticles on g-C₃N₄ nanosheet: a promising visible light-induced photocatalyst toward the removal of tetracycline hydrochloride and rhodamine B

A facile sol–gel procedure has efficiently fabricated for novel ternary p–n–p g-C₃N₄ nanosheet/CuBi₂O₄/Bi₃ClO₄ nanocomposites. Various techniques such as XRD, EDX, FTIR, XPS, FESEM, TEM, HRTEM, DLS, PL, BET, photocurrent, EIS, UV–Vis DRS, and TGA were adopted to analyze the photocatalysts. The as-prepared nanocomposites were utilized as visible light-induced photocatalysts for photodegradation of rhodamine B as an organic dye and tetracycline hydrochloride as an antibiotic. Among the ternary nanocomposites, the g-C₃N₄ nanosheet/CuBi₂O₄/Bi₃ClO₄ (20:20) shows the most efficient photocatalytic ability toward the degradation of rhodamine B and tetracycline hydrochloride. The results revealed that 98% of rhodamine B and 99% of tetracycline hydrochloride were degraded within 20 and 30 min by photocatalytic reaction, respectively. These results are explained by the formation of p–n–p heterojunction between three semiconductors, more visible light harvesting, and high separation of carrier charges. A possible mechanism is proposed. The superoxide radicals and holes were determined as the important reactive species involved in the photodegradation process. The recycling studies showed that the g-C₃N₄ nanosheet/CuBi₂O₄/Bi₃ClO₄ (20:20) photocatalyst prepared was highly stable and can be recycled and reused up to forth successful cycles without major loss in its photocatalytic ability.