Synthesis and characterization of nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped TiO2 nanoparticle anchored graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets: Photocatalytic application on dye removal

In this study, nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped titanium dioxide (NP-TiO2) nanoparticles are anchored onto graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (GCN) by the simple sonochemical method. The synthesized NP-TiO2/GCN nanocomposites are characterized by UV–Visible absorbance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, Photoluminescence spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy and Transmission electron microscopy. We find that the co-doping of nitrogen and phosphor to TiO2 nanoparticles of size (10–25) nm as well as simultaneous anchoring onto GCN nanosheets. The optimised 2.5 wt% GCN in NP-TiO2/GCN showed complete degradation of MB dye and MO dye at 105 min and 60 min respectively. The photocatalytic degradation performance is 5 times superior to that of individual NP-TiO2 and GCN under visible light. The degradation rate constants of NP-TiO2/GCN is found to be 0.01491 min−1 for MB dye and 0.02153 min−1 for MO dye. The improved photocatalytic performance of NP-TiO2/GCN nanocomposite is due to the synergistic effects of both NP-TiO2 and GCN, which decrease the bandgap as well as charge recombination. [Display omitted] •The sonochemical method was used for anchoring NP-TiO2 on GCN.•The particle size of anchored NP-TiO2 nanoparticles was found to be (10–25) nm.•The bandgap and charge recombination were decreased for NP-TiO2/GCN.•The enhanced photocatalytic activity of NP-TiO2/GCN was due to the synergistic effects.•The degradation rate constant of NP-TiO2/GCN was 0.01491 min−1 for MB dye and 0.02153 min−1 for MO dye.