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Enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity from graphene-like boron nitride anchored on graphitic carbon nitride sheets

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Abstract

Visible-light-driven, graphene-like boron nitride (g-BN)-mediated graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) photocatalysts were firstly synthesized via a facile and green method. The as-prepared catalyst samples were characterized by their morphology, optical and electrochemical performance. The photocatalytic activity of the g-BN/g-C3N4 composites was evaluated by bisphenol A photodegradation and H2 evolution under visible-light irradiation. The results indicated that 0.9% g-BN/g-C3N4 exhibited the best photocatalytic activity amongst the hybrid photocatalysts. The enhanced photocatalytic activity was ascribed to excellent surface properties, an enhanced visible-light harvesting capability, a stable structure and a high-efficiency separation rate of photoinduced electron–hole pairs. This work will support the rational design of g-BN-based photocatalytic materials for use in energy conversion and environmental preservation.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51578209 and 51678213) and A Project Funded by the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China

    Hang Xu, Zhang Wu, Yueting Wang & Chenshuo Lin

  2. College of Environmental Science, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China

    Hang Xu, Zhang Wu, Yueting Wang & Chenshuo Lin

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  1. Hang Xu
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  2. Zhang Wu
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  4. Chenshuo Lin
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Correspondence to Zhang Wu.

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Xu, H., Wu, Z., Wang, Y. et al. Enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity from graphene-like boron nitride anchored on graphitic carbon nitride sheets. J Mater Sci 52, 9477–9490 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-017-1167-6

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