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Sphagnum Inspired g‐C 3 N 4 Nano/Microspheres with Smaller Bandgap in Heterojunction Membranes for Sunlight‐Driven Water Purification
Author(s) -
Ji Lingtong,
Yan Luke,
Chao Min,
Li Mengru,
Gu Jincui,
Lei Miao,
Zhang Yanmei,
Wang Xun,
Xia Junyuan,
Chen Tianyu,
Nie Yujing,
Chen Tao
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
small
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.785
H-Index - 236
eISSN - 1613-6829
pISSN - 1613-6810
DOI - 10.1002/smll.202007122
Subject(s) - superhydrophilicity , materials science , membrane , photocatalysis , carbon nanotube , chemical engineering , graphitic carbon nitride , nanotechnology , band gap , wetting , optoelectronics , composite material , chemistry , organic chemistry , catalysis , biochemistry , engineering
Membrane separation is recognized as one of the most effective strategies to treat the complicated wastewater system for economic development. However, serious membrane fouling has restricted its further application. Inspired by sphagnum, a 0D/2D heterojunction composite membrane is engineered by depositing graphitic carbon nitride nano/microspheres (CNMS) with plentiful wrinkles onto the polyacrylic acid functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs‐PAA) membrane through hydrogen bond force. Through coupling unique structure and chemistry properties, the CNTs‐PAA/CNMS heterojunction membrane presents superhydrophilicity and underwater superoleophobicity. Furthermore, thanks to the J‐type aggregates during the solvothermal process, it is provided with a smaller bandgap (1.77 eV) than the traditional graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C 3 N 4 ) sheets‐based membranes (2.4–2.8 eV). This feature endows the CNTs‐PAA/CNMS membrane with superior visible‐light‐driven self‐cleaning ability, which can maintain its excellent emulsion separation (with a maximum flux of 5557 ± 331 L m −2 h −1 bar −1 and an efficiency of 98.5 ± 0.6%), photocatalytic degradation (with an efficiency of 99.7 ± 0.2%), and antibacterial (with an efficiency of ≈100%) ability even after cyclic experimental processes. The excellent self‐cleaning performance of this all‐in‐one membrane represents its potential value for water purification.