Enhanced electron transfer via synergistic electric field effects in g-C3N4/ MoS2 piezo-photocatalysis for hexavalent chromium removal

This study explores the significant reduction effect of g-C3N4-modified MoS2 on Cr6+ in water, attributed to its piezo-photocatalytic activity. Electrochemical tests indicate that, compared to pure MoS2, the built-in electric field formed by the g-C3N4/MoS2 heterojunction effectively promotes the transfer rate of photogenerated charge carriers, thereby enhancing the reduction efficiency of Cr6+. Furthermore, applying mechanical force further strengthens the built-in electric field of the g-C3N4/MoS2 heterojunction, accelerating the transfer rate of photogenerated charge carriers and regulating the arrangement of the semiconductor material band structure. Moreover, cytotoxicity experiments demonstrate that the Cr6+ solution at tested concentrations treated with the g-C3N4/MoS2 piezo-photocatalytic system exhibited negligible toxic effect on Hep-G2 cells compared to before reaction, making it an environmentally friendly choice for water treatment. The research results are of significant importance for designing efficient catalysts for environmental remediation, as well as for biological and medical applications.