Photocatalytic Materials Based on g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> Obtained by the One-Pot Calcination Method
Photocatalysts based on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>) attracted considerable attention due to their efficiency in hydrogen production and decomposition of organic pollutants in aqueous solutions. In this work, a new approach to synthesis of g-C<su...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-09-01
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| Series: | C |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-5629/9/3/85 |
| Summary: | Photocatalysts based on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>) attracted considerable attention due to their efficiency in hydrogen production and decomposition of organic pollutants in aqueous solutions. In this work, a new approach to synthesis of g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>-based heterostructures with improved photocatalytic properties was proposed. The properties of two different CdZnS/g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> and ZnIn<sub>2</sub>S<sub>4</sub>/g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> heterostructures synthesized and studied in the same conditions were compared. Pure g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> photocatalysts as well as CdZnS/g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> and ZnIn<sub>2</sub>S<sub>4</sub>/g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> heterostructures were synthesized using a one-pot method by calcining the mixture of the initial components. Photocatalytic properties of the synthesized substances were evaluated in a model reaction of rhodamine B decomposition induced by visible light. It was shown that ultrasonic treatment in the presence of a nonionic surfactant enhances the photocatalytic activity of g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> structures as a result of a higher photocatalyst dispersity. The electronic structures of the CdZnS/g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> and ZnIn<sub>2</sub>S<sub>4</sub>/g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> heterostructures were analyzed in detail. The photocatalytic activity of heterostructures was found to be 2–3-fold higher as compared with an unmodified g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> due to formation of a type II heterojunction and Z-scheme structures. Decomposition of rhodamine B occurred mostly via formation of active oxygen radicals by irradiation. |
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| ISSN: | 2311-5629 |