Abstract

The combination of transition metal dichalcogenide of TaSe2 with a composite of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) and 3D printing technology enhanced the photocatalytic degradation of organophosphorus pesticide, terbufos from aqueous solutions using the 3D-printed TaSe2/g-C3N4 nanocomposites. The 3D-printed TaSe2/g-C3N4 composites efficiently degrade terbufos upon exposure to UV light, reaching more than 95% degradation of 10 ppm terbufos with a decomposition rate constant of 0.3305 min-1. This rate is 37% more enhanced than that of TaSe2/g-C3N4 (0.2409 min-1) and 57.98% more than that of g-C3N4 (0.2092 min-1). Under visible light, terbufos degradation was achieved in 90 min at a slower rate of 0.0492 min?1, and 6.72 times less efficient than under UV light, emphasizing the superior efficiency of UV light for this system. Additionally, the mechanism, degradation pathway, and reusability of the materials are explored, underscoring the potential of 3D-printed TaSe2/g-C3N4 as a potential nanocomposite for photocatalytic applications. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.