Novel β-C3N4/CuO nanoflakes: facile synthesis and unique photocatalytic performance. (14th August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zou, Lan-Rong; Huang, Gui-Fang; Li, Dong-Feng; Tian, Qing-Nan; Yang, Ke; Si, Yuan; Chang, Shengli; Zhang, Xue-Ao; Huang, Wei-Qing
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics. Volume 50:Number 35(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-08-14
• Subjects: β-C3N4/CuO nanoflakes -- crystal growth -- active sites -- charge separation; Physics -- Periodicals; 530
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6463/aa7c6f
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3727

Abstract

Abstract: For the first time, novel β -C3 N4 /CuO composites with superior photocatalytic activity are successfully fabricated via a facile reflux method followed by a thermal process. The morphologies, particle size and microstructure of the synthesized β -C3 N4 /CuO composites largely depended upon copper chloride and the volume ratio of V water : V ethanol in the mixed precursors. The fabricated β -C3 N4 /CuO nanoflakes exhibited obviously enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) with an ̃3.4 and 1.9 fold increase in efficiency over that of pure g-C3 N4 and commercial P25, respectively. The β -C3 N4 /CuO composite photocatalyst also showed photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methyl orange (MO). Moreover, the β -C3 N4 /CuO nanoflakes showed almost no loss of photocatalytic activity after three recycles of the degradation of the MB. A multiple synergetic mechanism in β -C3 N4 /CuO nanoflakes, which is featured by the highly reactive {0 0 2} facets, exposed many active sites of nanoflakes and the efficient charge separation are proposed to account for the distinguished photocatalytic activity. This work provides a facile and cost-effective strategy for designing novel β -C3 N4 /CuO photocatalysts for application in environmental purification.