Ultrasonic-assisted pyrolyzation fabrication of reduced SnO_2–x/g-C₃N₄ heterojunctions: Enhance photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic activity under visible LED light irradiation

Novel SnO_2–x/g-C₃N₄ heterojunction nanocomposites composed of reduced SnO_2–x nanoparticles and exfoliated g-C₃N₄ nanosheets were prepared by a convenient one-step pyrolysis method. The structural, morphological, and optical properties of the as-prepared nanocomposites were characterized in detail, indicating that the aggregation of g-C₃N₄ nanosheets was prevented by small, well-dispersed SnO_2–x nanoparticles. The ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy absorption bands of the nanocomposites were shifted to a longer wavelength region than those exhibited by pure SnO₂ or g-C₃N₄. The charge transfer and recombination processes occurring in the nanocomposites were investigated using linear scan voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Under 30-W visible-light-emitting diode irradiation, the heterojunction containing 27.4 wt.% SnO_2–x exhibited the highest photocurrent density of 0.0468 mA·cm^–2, which is 33.43 and 5.64 times larger than that of pure SnO₂ and g-C₃N₄, respectively. The photocatalytic activity of the heterojunction material was investigated by degrading rhodamine B under irradiation from the same light source. Kinetic study revealed a promising degradation rate constant of 0.0226 min^-1 for the heterojunction containing 27.4 wt.% SnO_2–x, which is 32.28 and 5.79 times higher than that of pure SnO₂ and g-C₃N₄, respectively. The enhanced photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic performances of the nanocomposite may be due to its appropriate SnO_2–x content and the compact structure of the junction between the SnO_2–x nanoparticles and the g-C₃N₄ nanosheets, which inhibits the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes.