Core–shell g-C₃N₄@Zn_0.5Cd_0.5S heterojunction photocatalysts with high photocatalytic activity for the degradation of organic dyes

The core-shell g-C₃N₄@Zn_0.5Cd_0.5S heterojunction photocatalysts with excellent photocatalytic performance were synthesized via a simple co-precipitation hydrothermal method. The photocatalytic performance of the g-C₃N₄@Zn_0.5Cd_0.5S was significantly increased by the heterojunction structure, which improved the separation and mobility of the photogenerated carriers. The highest degradation efficiency was for the 50% g-C₃N₄@Zn_0.5Cd_0.5S (99%), and its degradation rate was 15.7 which was 3.7 times those of the pure g-C₃N₄ and Zn_0.5Cd_0.5S, respectively. The catalyst band gap gradually decreased with the increasing content of g-C₃N₄. The capture agent experiments revealed that the main active substances in the degradation process are h⁺ and O₂^−·. The photocatalytic activity remained at 95% after 4 cycles showing good light stabilities. This study provided a simple method for synthesizing the g-C₃N₄/ZnCdS heterojunctions with an excellent photocatalytic property.