INVESTIGATION OF THE PROPERTIES AND ENHANCED PHOTOCATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF Bi₂WO₆/g-C₃N₄ COMPOSITE MATERIALS

Bi₂WO₆/g-C₃N₄ composite materials with varying g-C3N4 weight fractions (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) were successfully synthesized using a combined microwave-hydrothermal method. The structural, morphological, and optical properties of the composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Photocatalytic performance was evaluated by the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under simulated sunlight, employing a cutoff filter to eliminate wavelengths below 400 nm. The incorporation of g-C3N4 into Bi₂WO₆ was found to significantly modify its morphology and enhance its optical absorption. All composite samples exhibited superior photocatalytic activity compared to pure Bi₂WO₆, with the 10 wt% g-C3N4 composite achieving the highest degradation rate, approximately seven times that of pristine Bi₂WO₆. This enhancement is primarily attributed to the formation of a Z-scheme heterojunction between Bi₂WO₆ and g-C3N4, which promotes efficient charge separation and suppresses electron-hole recombination via electron trap centers.