Design of novel structured Au/g-C3N4 nanosheet/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites for enhanced visible light photocatalytic activities. Issue 8 (11th June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Hao; Zhao, Fei; Liu, Tongyao; Zhang, Nan; Wang, Yuhua
• Is Part Of: Sustainable energy & fuels. Volume 4:Issue 8(2020)
• Page Start: 4086
• Page End: 4095
• Publication Date: 2020-06-11
• Subjects: Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Fuel cells -- Periodicals; Electric batteries -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; 660.297
• DOI: 10.1039/d0se00248h
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2398-4902

Abstract

Abstract : In order to surmount the intrinsic disadvantages of raw g-C3 N4, we demonstrate simple thermal oxidation exfoliation and facile in situ photoreduction methods to fabricate Au/g-C3 N4 nanosheet/reduced graphene oxide (Au/CNNS/rGO) photocatalysts. Abstract : In order to surmount the intrinsic disadvantages of raw g-C3 N4, we demonstrate simple thermal oxidation exfoliation and facile in situ photoreduction methods to fabricate Au/g-C3 N4 nanosheet/reduced graphene oxide (Au/CNNS/rGO) photocatalysts. During the preparation, g-C3 N4 was exfoliated to ultrathin nanosheets, and the deposition of Au and reduction of graphene oxide (GO) were accomplished simultaneously. Remarkably, the monodispersed Au nanoparticles were well anchored on the surface of the CNNSs and rGO was decorated on the opposite surface of the CNNSs. This novel structure bidirectionally promotes the transfer of photogenerated electrons. The H2 evolution rate of optimal Au/CNNS/rGO is 9.6 times higher and the methylene blue degradation rate is 6 times higher than those of pure g-C3 N4 under visible light irradiation. The enhancement of photocatalytic activities could be attributed to the novel structure of the nanocomposite, the surface plasmon resonance effect of Au, the high electron mobility of rGO and the large surface area of CNNSs.