Gema Arlette De la cruz Alderete

Ms. Gema Arlette De la cruz Alderete

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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4 September 2025 in Catalysts
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
JPJuan C. Pantoja-Espinoza
Juan C. Pantoja-Espinoza
GAGema Arlette De la cruz Alderete
Gema Arlette De la cruz Alderete
FPFrancisco Paraguay-Delgado
Francisco Paraguay-Delgado
The g-C3N4/ZnO nanocomposite materials were applied to degrade methylene blue (MB). The samples were characterized and evaluated to study the adsorption and photocatalytic degradation under visible light. The g-C3N4 was incorporated at percentages of 5%, 10%, 20%, and 40% relative to the ZnO weight. These composite materials were prepared using a solvothermal microwave technique. The structural, textural, morphological, and optical properties were investigated using XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDS, STEM, BET, UV-Vis, and XPS techniques. The XRD patterns of the samples showed the coexistence of crystalline phases of g-C3N4 and ZnO, while images and elemental composition analysis confirmed the formation of nanocomposite samples. The UV-Vis spectrum revealed a redshift in the absorption edge of the nanocomposites, indicating improved light-harvesting capability. The synthesized material g-C3N4/ZnO (20/80), with a surface area of 25 m2/g, exhibited higher photocatalytic performance, achieving 85% degradation of MB after 100 min under visible light, which corresponds to nearly three times the degradation efficiency of commercial P25-TiO2 (31%) under the same conditions. The reusability and stability tests were conducted up to the fifth cycle, and this material showed 77% degradation, indicating good stability. This nanocomposite material has good potential as a photocatalyst for solar-driven MB.