Unveiling the exceptional photocatalytic activity of SmO/g-C3N4 nanocomposites for dye industries wastewater treatment
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Date
2025
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Abstract
On a global scale, wastewater dye pollution has become a major environmental issue. Photocatalysis is a well-
known and promising technology for removing organic pollutants, such as dyes, from wastewater. In this
work, SmO/g-C3N4 nanocomposites were fabricated and used as a photocatalyst for the degradation of anionic
dyes, cationic dyes, and mix dyes due to their high specific surface area and outstanding photocatalytic capa
bilities. Characterization of the synthesized nanocomposites included Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), Scan
ning electron microscopy (SEM), Ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-DRS), X-ray Diffraction
(XRD), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The photocatalytic
activity of SmO/g-C3N4 nanocomposites was studied against anionic dyes (Rose bengal (RB) and Xylenol Orange
(XO)), cationic dyes (Auramine O (AO) and Crystal Violet (CV)) and their mixture (Mix Dyes). The results
indicated that SmO/g-C3N4 nanocomposite (SmG-1.5) exhibited superior photocatalytic activity compared to its
precursors, degrading dyes at rates of Rose bengal-84.7 %, Xylenol Orange-75.3 %, Auramine O-82.2 %, Crystal
Violet-72.3 %, and Mix dyes-80 %. Thus, SmO/g-C3N4 nanocomposites demonstrate significant potential as an
efficient photocatalyst for degrading dyes in wastewater.