Ultrasound-assisted synthesis, spectral and analytical analysis of g-C3N4/CeO2 composites towards catalytic reduction of nitroaromatic compounds & selective fluorescence detection of Hg2+

Abstract

We have developed a significant ultrasound-assisted fabrication of g-C3N4/CeO2 composites and characterized by UV–vis DRS, PL, FTIR, XRD, TEM, and BET surface area towards utilization of catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol and 4-nitroaniline using NaBH4 and detection of heavy metal ions by selective fluorescence sensing probe. The obtained TEM and XRD pattern of the g-C3N4/CeO2 composites shows as spherical shape with trivial agglomeration and almost 10–20 nm of size. In the optimal CeO2 loading content in g-C3N4 was 0.5 wt% g-C3N4/CeO2 composite is exhibited towards maximum reduction efficiency of both 4-NP and 4-NA in 35 min of reaction and it shows higher reduction capability due to the almost equal energy levels of CeO2 and g-C3N4, virtuous separation of charge carriers, and heterojunction formation. Moreover, it can be used for the selective detection of Hg2+ through strong electrostatic interactions to metal ions with the composites, and intercalation of the holes through fluorescence measurements.

Keywords

• g-C3N4/CeO2 heterojunction
• Ultrasound method
• Nitrocompounds reduction
• Hg2+ detection
• Environmental protection