Facile synthesis and extended visible light activity of oxygen and sulphur co-doped carbon nitride quantum dots modified Bi₂MoO₆ for phenol degradation

A novel one-pot solvothermal route was employed to construct O and S co-doped graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots (OSCNQDs) hybridized with Bi₂MoO₆ (BMO) photocatalyst and utilized to catalyse aqueous phenol from simulated wastewater under extended visible light exposure. The photodegradation analysis depicted that the (OSCNQDs/BMO) nanohybrid exhibited incremented photocatalysis of phenol (98 %) under visible light illumination which is due to the effective coupling and formation of Z-scheme heterostructure which rendered superior space isolation and retained high redox abilities. The OSCNQDs might contribute to the extended absorption of visible light as well as increased adsorption of phenol on the surface of photocatalyst. As a result, the nanohybrid displayed prominent absorption in visible region, improved space charge isolation and superior photoactivity which can be utilized as an effective approach for the photo-assisted degradation of organic pollutants.