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Facile Synthesis of Carbon/g‐C 3 N 4 Nanocomposites as Metal‐Free Photocatalyst with Enhanced Visible‐Light‐Responsive Photocatalytic Properties
Author(s) -
Ma Shuaishuai,
Xu Peng,
Li Xinyao,
Ye Zhaolian,
Xue Jinjuan
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
chemistryselect
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.437
H-Index - 34
ISSN - 2365-6549
DOI - 10.1002/slct.201802154
Subject(s) - photocatalysis , materials science , nanocomposite , carbon fibers , visible spectrum , chemical engineering , metal , aqueous solution , nanotechnology , catalysis , chemistry , organic chemistry , composite material , composite number , metallurgy , optoelectronics , engineering
The development of highly effective metal‐free photocatalysts in place of traditional photocatalysts is of great significance for environmental remediation by utilization of solar energy. In this work, a new 2D carbon/g‐C 3 N 4 metal‐free photocatalyst was designed and fabricated via one‐step thermal treatment of cyanamide and spent tea leaves (STL). The as‐prepared samples were fully characterized and the results revealed that carbon nanosheets are evenly attached on the surface of g‐C 3 N 4 by chemical bonds rather than simple physical stacking, which is beneficial to the strong interface interaction. The intimate interfacial bonding of carbon materials with g‐C 3 N 4 exhibit enlarged specific surface area, broadened photo‐response range, efficient photo‐induced electron migration as well as high stability. Thus, the carbon/g‐C 3 N 4 photocatalyst showed remarkable enhanced photocatalytic activities in the degradation of antibiotic ciprofloxacin (CIP) in aqueous solution and gaseous benzene than that of pristine g‐C 3 N 4 under visible light. Furthermore, a possible photocatalytic mechanism for the improved photocatalytic performance over carbon/g‐C 3 N 4 nanocomposites was proposed. This research work can promote the exploration on facile synthesis of total metal‐free carbon/g‐C 3 N 4 photocatalysts with biomass as the carbon source and its application in environmental pollutants elimination.