Visible light active Au@g-C3N4 core-shell plasmonic photocatalyst. (2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baruah, Kashmiri; Kumar, Ashok; Deb, Pritam
• Is Part Of: Materials today. Volume 47:Part 8(2021)
• Page Start: 1627
• Page End: 1632
• Publication Date: 2021
• Subjects: Core-shell -- Au nanoparticle -- Graphitic carbon nitride -- Photocatalytic degradation -- Surface plasmon resonance; Materials science -- Congresses -- Periodicals; 620.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2021.04.333
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-7853

Abstract

Highlights: Core-shell structure of Au@g-C3 N4 is developed and used as photocatalyst in degradation of Methylene Blue. The core–shell structure is observed from TEM images. Au@g-C3 N4 degraded 41% Methylene Blue present in the simulated wastewater in just 60 min with only 1 wt% of Au salt. Au@g-C3 N4 degraded 94.2% Methylene Blue present in the simulated wastewater in just 60 min with 5 wt% of Au salt. Abstract: A core–shell structure of Au nanoparticle and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3 N4 ) is synthesized by sonication-assisted reduction, using sodium citrate as the reducing agent. Noble metal nanoparticles have low dispersion stability in solution and have tendency to aggregate which reduces their activity. Corrosion of noble metal nanoparticles also restricts practical use of noble metal. Keeping this in mind, a core–shell structure of gold core and semiconductor graphitic carbon nitride shell is developed. Core-shell structure formation is confirmed by structural and morphological characterizations. This nanocomposite Au@g-C3 N4 degraded 41% and 94.2% Methylene Blue present in the simulated wastewater in just 60 min with 1 wt% and 5 wt% of Au salt, respectively. This faster degradation of Methylene Blue is due to the large surface area of 2D g-C3 N4, surface plasmon resonance of Au nanoparticles, and the interface formed between the two components which increase the lifetime of photogenerated electron-hole pairs.