Open AccessSolid-state Synthesis of Composite Structures of Various Cu(I)-based Oxides with g-C3 N4 for Harvesting Solar Energy
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
advances in materials science and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2578-7217
DOI - 10.33140/amse/02/01/34
Subject(s) - materials science , band gap , absorption (acoustics) , photocatalysis , composite number , rhodamine b , absorption spectroscopy , chemical engineering , graphitic carbon nitride , composite material , optoelectronics , catalysis , optics , organic chemistry , chemistry , physics , engineering
Development of novel materials for an efficient harvesting of solar energy towards applications in environment andenergy sectors is an important area of research. A metal-free polymeric material, g-C3N4 is modified with three Cu(I)-based oxides namely Cu2O, CuVO3, and Cu3VO4 to extend the absorption of the solar spectrum. The composite structuresare synthesized by a facile one-step solid-state reaction under inter atmosphere and atmospheric pressure. The amountsof loadings of Cu(I)-based oxides onto g-C3N4 is varied from 2 wt.% to 10 wt.%. Powder XRD patterns showed that thegraphitic structure of carbon nitride is maintained upon the construction of hybrid structures with Cu(I) oxides. SEMimages show the textural transformation of the bulk structure of g-C3N4 into nanosheets upon thermal retreatment. FT-IRspectra further confirmed the stability of g-C3N4 observed in the XRD patterns. In comparison with the pristine g-C3N4,the DR-UV-Vis spectra of the modified solid powders demonstrated a clear red shift in the absorption towards higherwavelength and their better prospects in harvesting solar energy. Tauc plots derived from the DR-UV-Vis spectra showed anarrowing of the direct-allowed band gap upon modifications with Cu(I)-based oxides. The composites showed moderateactivity in photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B under irradiation from a solar simulator