Open AccessConstructing a visible-light-driven photocatalytic membrane by g-C3N4 quantum dots and TiO2 nanotube array for enhanced water treatment
Author(s) -
Qi Zhang,
Xie Quan,
Hua Wang,
Shuo Chen,
Yan Su,
Zhangliang Li
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
scientific reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.24
H-Index - 213
ISSN - 2045-2322
DOI - 10.1038/s41598-017-03347-y
Subject(s) - photocatalysis , visible spectrum , membrane , rhodamine b , filtration (mathematics) , quantum dot , photochemistry , materials science , chemical engineering , irradiation , nanotube , nanotechnology , chemistry , optoelectronics , carbon nanotube , catalysis , organic chemistry , biochemistry , statistics , mathematics , physics , nuclear physics , engineering
Photocatalytic membranes that driven by visible light are highly desired for water treatment. Here g-C 3 N 4 quantum dots (QDs) assembled into TiO 2 nanotube array (TNA) membranes were fabricated for the first time as a visible-light-driven g-C 3 N 4 /TNA membrane. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of membrane filtration and photocatalysis, more than 60% of rhodamine B could be removed from water under visible light irradiation. Meanwhile, the g-C 3 N 4 /TNA membrane presented an enhanced anti-fouling ability during filtering water containing Escherichia coli under visible light irradiation, and a permeate flux of 2 times higher than that of filtration alone was obtained by integrated process. This study offers a promising strategy for the potential application of the visible-light-driven membranes in water treatment.