Evaluation of BFO/g-C3N4 Nanocomposite Efficiency on Photocatalytic Removal of Congo Red Dye

In this research, BFO/g-C3N4 nanocomposite was prepared via the hydrothermal method and was analyzed by FTIR, XRD, FESEM, Dot mapping, and EDS. BET and BJH techniques were used to determine the specific surface area and pore size of BFO/g-C3N4 nanocomposite. The efficiency of BFO/g-C3N4 nanocomposite as a photocatalyst was evaluated on photocatalytic degradation of Congo Red dye under visible light irradiation. The effect of key factors, i.e., time, pH of the solution, initial Congo Red concentration, and BFO/g-C3N4 dosage, was studied on photocatalytic degradation of Congo Red dye. Results revealed that degradation of Congo red is increased by increasing time and BFO/g-C3N4 dosage and is decreased by increasing Congo Red concentration and pH. The maximum removal percentage of Congo red reached 74.66% at 40 min, pH=2, initial dye concentration of 10 mg/L, photocatalyst dosage of 0.05 g/100mL under 30 w visible light. It can be deduced that BFO/g-C3N4 nanocomposite act as an effective photocatalyst for removing Congo red from aqueous solutions when exposed to visible light.