Nur Syamimi Adzis, Rahil Azhar, Nur Hidayatul Syazwani Suhaimi, Mohd Azlan Mohd ishak, Suriati Sufian, Azhar Ali Haidry, Mohd Fariz Mohd Taib, Mahidin Mahidin, Wan Izhan Nawawi
In this study, electron transport dynamics in a novel Z-scheme photocatalyst, Pt-Bi2WO6/g-C3N4 (PBCN), were precisely tailored through a one-pot synthesis strategy. This unified approach enabled the concurrent formation of Bi2WO6 (BWO) and the one-pot incorporation of platinum (Pt) within a g-C3N4 (g-CN) framework, ensuring homogeneous Pt distribution and its strategic positioning as an electron mediator at the heterojunction interface. The engineered structure enabled directional charge transfer typical of an unconventional Z-scheme. This process preserves strong redox potentials, resulting in enhanced photocatalytic performance. XPS spectra exhibited notable binding energy shifts, confirming effective interfacial charge transfer. Complementary analyses, including PL spectroscopy and photoelectrochemical measurements, revealed enhanced charge carrier separation and suppressed recombination. UV–Vis DRS and Mott–Schottky analysis further validated suitable band alignment for efficient Z-scheme operation. Structural and morphological characterizations (FESEM, HRTEM, BET) demonstrated a well-defined nanoscale architecture, high surface area, and uniform Pt dispersion. The optimized PBCN achieved 98% degradation of cationic RhB under 60 min of visible-light irradiation. Furthermore, a remarkable photocatalytic water splitting performance was recorded, generating hydrogen at a rate of 4265.96 µmol g−1 h−1. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.
Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Perlis, Arau, 02600, Malaysia; Department of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Perak, Seri Iskandar, 32610, Malaysia; College of Materials Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 211100, China; Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor, Shah Alam, 40450, Malaysia; Department of Chemical Engineering, Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
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