Enhanced simulated sunlight photocatalytic performance in K2Ti6O13/g-C3N4 heterojunction

In this study, K 2 Ti 6 O 1 3 (KTO) nanowires were doped with carbon (CKTO) via a novel solid-phase approach at 800 ∘ C for the first time using ethanol, KF, and TiO 2 . In addition to the lower sintering temperature, a shorter insulation period was achieved compared to the conventional solid-phase method. Furthermore, by combining and calcining CKTO and g-C 3 N 4 , a CKTO/g-C 3 N 4 heterojunction composite was produced. The rate at which CKTO/g-C 3 N 4 photocatalytically degraded methylene blue was higher than those of pure CKTO and g-C 3 N 4 . Our study indicates that adding g-C 3 N 4 enhances photocatalytic performance by reducing the recombination rate of photogenerated electron–hole pairs and narrowing the bandgap of the CKTO/g-C 3 N 4 heterostructure. This paper presents a novel method for creating KTO composites in an eco-friendly and productive manner for the photocatalytic degradation of organic colors.