Three-dimensional microspheric g-C3N4 coupled by Broussonetia papyrifera biochar: facile sodium alginate immobilization and excellent photocatalytic Cr(iv) reduction. Issue 11 (7th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jin, Qi; Xie, Guangyu; Cai, Xiaoxi; Hu, Xinjiang; Wang, Hui; Qiu, Guoqiang; Wang, Weixuan; Zhou, Daixi; Huo, Huiwen; Tan, Xiaofei; Zhao, Yunlin
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 10:Issue 11(2020)
• Page Start: 6121
• Page End: 6128
• Publication Date: 2020-02-07
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c9ra09981f
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : g-C3 N4 – Broussonetia papyrifera biochar–sodium alginate composites were prepared. Composite recyclability and activity for photocatalytic Cr(vi ) reduction and the origin of enhanced photocatalytic activity relative to that of g-C3 N4 were probed. Abstract : Photocatalysts comprising Broussonetia papyrifera biochar and g-C3 N4 loaded on sodium alginate were prepared and characterized in terms of reusability and photocatalytic Cr(vi ) reduction performance. The observed photocurrent responses as well as photoluminescence and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectra showed that the best-performing catalyst featured the benefits of efficient photogenerated charge separation, superior electron conductance/transfer, and excellent light adsorption ability, which resulted in a higher photocatalytic Cr(vi ) reduction performance compared to that of pure g-C3 N4 powder. The prepared composite was shown to be reusable and well separable from the reaction mixture, thus being a promising material for the practical photocatalytic removal of Cr(vi ) from wastewater. The trapping experiment and XPS spectra of catalysts after reactions confirm that the decontamination of Cr(vi ) lies in the photocatalytic reduction of this species into low-toxicity Cr(iii ) by photoinduced electrons generated from g-C3 N4, followed by the adsorption of Cr(iii ) on biochar or alginate with large specific areas.