Facile synthesis of metal free non-toxic Boron Carbon Nitride nanosheets with strong photocatalytic behavior for degradation of industrial dyes

Abstract A simple one-step method for the fabrication of Boron Carbon Nitride (BCN) nanosheets at a temperature of 580 °C was developed. Boric anhydride, urea and melamine precursors were thermally condensed in the nitrogen atmosphere. The optical band gap of BCN was estimated to be 3.01 eV, resembling a typical wide bandgap semiconductor. XPS peaks revealed that B, C and N atoms are bound together by B N, B C and C N bonds. The Photodegradation of Cibacron yellow FN-2R dye by BCN was evaluated under UV irradiation and the results were compared with the C3N4. The active species involved in the reaction was studied using radical scavengers. The toxicity of the photocatalyst before and after degradation was determined using CArtemia salina’s nauplii and certain bacterial species. Facile synthesis, high stability and toxic free against aggregation in water, the as-fabricated metal free BCN nanosheets show promising results in achieving efficient dye degradation.