Polymeric graphitic carbon nitride doped with CuO dispersed on dealuminated Clinoptilolite (CuO/HCP): Synthesis and characterisation

Abstract

CuO dispersed on dealuminated clinoptilolite (CuO/HCP) and further doped with polymeric graphitic carbon nitride (CuO/HCP-g-C3N4) was synthesized through 2 facile routes: precipitation method for CuO/HCP and impregnation through ultrasonication method for the hybrid composite material. The hybrid composite material crystalline phase, surface morphology, and structural and thermal properties were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermal analysis. The formation of the hybrid composite material was confirmed by XRD showing crystalline phase of CuO and g-C3N4 present on the surface of dealuminated clinoptilolite (HCP). SEM images analysis depicts no aggregation of the mixed metal oxide semiconductor nanoparticles at the center of HCP. The hybrid composite material, CuO/HCP-g-C3N4, with a good homogeneously dispersed metal oxide conductor having excellent catalytic activities has been synthesized.