Adjustment of the band gap of co-doped KCl/NH4Cl/g-C3N4 for enhanced photocatalytic performance under visible light. (15th June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Song, Hongbing; Liu, Lei; Wang, Haozhong; Feng, Bingxiao; Xiao, Meng; Tang, Yubao; Qu, Xiaofei; Gai, Hengjun; Huang, Tingting
• Is Part Of: Materials science in semiconductor processing. Volume 128(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06-15
• Subjects: G-C3N4 -- Element doping -- Organic pollutants -- Photocatalyst -- Visible light; Semiconductors -- Periodicals; Integrated circuits -- Materials -- Periodicals; Semiconducteurs -- Périodiques; Circuits intégrés -- Matériaux -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 621.38152
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mssp.2021.105757
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-8001

Abstract

Abstract: The development of a photocatalyst with high activity, large specific surface area and precise band gap adjustment is the focus of the field of photocatalysis in realizing energy conversion and improving environmental issues. In this paper, a simple synthesis process for co-doping of KCl and NH4 Cl to precisely adjust the band gap of g-C3 N4 was developed. Various characterization results show that doping with KCl and NH4 Cl can reduce the band gap of the carbon nitride, increase its visible light absorption, improve its carrier separation efficiency, thus showing good photocatalytic activity. Cl and K enter the g-C3 N4 layers via intercalation and form a dual-element charge transport channel between these layers, thereby facilitating the transport of electrons. The introduction of NH4 Cl increases the specific surface area of the composite, thus providing abundant adsorption and reaction sites. The co-loaded photocatalyst CN-NH4 Cl-0.05KCl was used to degrade rhodamine B (RhB) and tetracycline (TC) and showed excellent photocatalytic activity. A possible mechanism of photocatalytic degradation is proposed based on the analytic results. Graphical abstract: Highlights: The band gap of g-C3 N4 is adjusted by doping with KCl and NH4 Cl to suppress carrier recombination. The introduction of NH4 Cl into g-C3 N4 is conducive to the formation of mesoporous channels. Cl and K enter the g-C3 N4 layers via intercalation and form a charge transport channel between these layers. The co-loaded photocatalyst CN-NH4 Cl-0.05KCl has an excellent photocatalytic performance. Possible photocatalytic mechanisms are proposed on the basis of the analytic results.