Efficiently enhancing the photocatalytic activity of g‐C3N4 by a simple advanced successive activation method. (1st March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huai, Xu; Hang, Zusheng; Wang, Zhangzhong; Liu, Delin; Li, Qiuya; He, Zhen; Chen, Yang; Han, Xisi
• Is Part Of: Micro & nano letters. Volume 13:Number 3(2018)
• Page Start: 403
• Page End: 406
• Publication Date: 2018-03-01
• Subjects: carbon compounds -- photochemistry -- catalysis -- calcination -- association -- crystal growth from solution -- scanning electron microscopy -- transmission electron microscopy -- X‐ray diffraction -- thermal analysis -- surface morphology -- crystal structure -- thermal stability -- aggregates (materials) -- porosity -- dyes; photocatalytic activity -- successive activation method -- activated graphitic carbon nitride -- calcination -- melamine -- protonation -- hydrothermal hydrochloric acid -- aqueous sodium hydroxide solution -- scanning electron microscopy -- SEM -- transmission electron microscopy -- TEM -- X‐ray diffraction -- XRD -- thermogravimetry -- surface morphology -- crystal structure -- thermal stability -- aggregate size -- porous structures -- interlamellar spacing -- visible‐light irradiation -- rhodamine B solution degradation -- acid treatment -- alkali treatment -- C3N4; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanostructures -- Periodicals; Microtechnology -- Periodicals; 620.5
• DOI: 10.1049/mnl.2017.0518
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1750-0443

Abstract

Abstract : High activated graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3 N4 ) was initially produced by a typical calcination of melamine, and then modified by a convenient successive activation: protonated in hydrothermal hydrochloric acid (g‐C3 N4 ‐1) and subsequently immersed in aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (g‐C3 N4 ‐2). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetry were used to characterise the morphology, crystal structure and thermal stability of the as‐prepared samples. The SEM and TEM showed that g‐C3 N4 ‐2 had a much smaller aggregate size than g‐C3 N4 ‐1 and obviously displayed porous structures. The XRD patterns indicated the decrease of inter‐lamellar spacing between the layers of samples and the increase of stretched properties of g‐C3 N4 ‐2. Under visible‐light irradiation, the modified g‐C3 N4 showed higher photocatalytic activity for degradation of rhodamine B solution than pristine samples due to the tiny particles aggregate and porous structure. Thus, the method of acid and alkali treatment will widen the photocatalysis and application of g‐C3 N4 .