Novel C3N4/Zn1−xCdxS heterostructures with adjustment of the band gap and their visible light photocatalytic properties. Issue 43 (16th October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cui, Xia; Zheng, Yi Fan; Yin, Hao Yong; Song, Xu Chun
• Is Part Of: Physical chemistry chemical physics. Volume 17:Issue 43(2015)
• Page Start: 29354
• Page End: 29362
• Publication Date: 2015-10-16
• Subjects: Chemistry, Physical and theoretical -- Periodicals; 541.3
• DOI: 10.1039/c5cp05464h
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1463-9076

Abstract

Abstract : C3 N4 /Zn1− x Cd x S heterostructures with excellent photocatalytic activitiy were prepared. The enhanced performance may be attributed to the appropriate band structure. Abstract : In this study, C3 N4 /Zn1− x Cd x S (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) heterostructures with adjustment of the band gap were successfully prepared by calcination and a hydrothermal synthesis method. The photocatalytic properties of C3 N4 /Zn1− x Cd x S composite photocatalysts were evaluated by the photocatalytic degradation of RhB under visible light irradiation. The results showed that the combination of the two semiconductor photocatalysts (C3 N4 and Zn1− x Cd x S) greatly enhanced the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of RhB compared to the pure C3 N4 and Zn1− x Cd x S under visible light irradiation. Among them, the 0.1C3 N4 /Zn0.8 Cd0.2 S composite photocatalyst exhibited the highest photocatalytic activities with the degradation efficiency of RhB arriving to 97.9% within 90 min. The remarkable photocatalytic activity of the 0.1C3 N4 /Zn0.8 Cd0.2 S composite photocatalyst was mainly attributed to the appropriate band structure and the effective separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs. Additionally, a possible basic mechanism of the composite semiconductor photocatalytic process was also discussed. Moreover, it was also investigated that O2 ˙ − and h + were the main reactive oxidative species in this photocatalytic process of the degradation of RhB on the 0.1C3 N4 /Zn0.8 Cd0.2 S heterostructure photocatalyst.