Coupled semiconductor nanocomposite g-C3N4/TiO2 with enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity. (April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mohini, R.; Lakshminarasimhan, N.
• Is Part Of: Materials research bulletin. Volume 76(2016)
• Page Start: 370
• Page End: 375
• Publication Date: 2016-04
• Subjects: A. Composites -- A. Nanostructures -- B. Solvothermal -- C. Electron diffraction -- D. Catalytic properties; Materials -- Periodicals; Crystal growth -- Periodicals; Matériaux -- Périodiques; Cristaux -- Croissance -- Périodiques; Crystal growth; Materials; Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.materresbull.2015.12.034
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-5408

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: g-C3 N4 /TiO2 nanocomposites by in situ growth of TiO2 nanoparticles over 2D g-C3 N4 Enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity of g-C3 N4 in nanocomposite Efficient separation of photogenerated charge carriers in nanocomposite Abstract: The visible light photocatalytic activity of graphitic carbon nitride, g-C3 N4, can be enhanced by coupling with other semiconductors. In this work, mesoporous TiO2 nanoparticles were grown over g-C3 N4 sheets resulting in the coupled nanocomposite photocatalyst. The morphological analyses using FE-SEM, TEM and AFM revealed the uniform deposition of TiO2 on g-C3 N4 sheet. The visible light photocatalytic activity of g-C3 N4 and g-C3 N4 /TiO2 composites were tested by methyl orange (MO) dye degradation and Cr(VI) reduction. The results revealed an enhancement in the visible light photocatalytic activity of g-C3 N4 when it was coupled with TiO2 in the nanocomposite. Mesoporous TiO2 nanoparticles deposited over g-C3 N4 provides the necessary large surface for the adsorption of the pollutant molecules. The enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity of g-C3 N4 in the nanocomposite is due to the high surface area and efficient photogenerated charge carrier separation in the nanocomposite as evidenced in photoluminescence (PL) results.