Statistical and experimental studies of MoS.sub.2/g-C.sub.3N.sub.4/TiO.sub.2: a ternary Z-scheme hybrid composite

A ternary photocatalyst, MoS.sub.2/g-C.sub.3N.sub.4/TiO.sub.2, was prepared using layered and exfoliated MoS.sub.2, g-C.sub.3N.sub.4, and TiO.sub.2 via hydrothermal and wet chemical method. It was characterized using various methods to evaluate the structural, morphological and optical properties. Successful incorporation of g-C.sub.3N.sub.4 and TiO.sub.2 into MoS.sub.2 was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and the formation of heterojunctions among MoS.sub.2, g-C.sub.3N.sub.4 and TiO.sub.2 particles was established by transmission electron microscopy. These hybrid composites exhibited excellent efficiency in the degradation of malachite green dye. The composite can be recycled four times without loss of photoactivity. The remarkable improvement in photocatalytic efficiency was because of the synergism among the three nanoparticles through the Z-scheme pathway which allows separation of electron-hole pairs and makes MoS.sub.2/g-C.sub.3N.sub.4/TiO.sub.2 an outstanding material in the fields of photocatalysis and water treatment. The optimized experimental conditions for the degradation of the dye were assessed by the Box-Behnken design of the response surface methodology.