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Synthesis of tubular g-C3N4 via a H2SO4-assisted precursor self-assembly strategy for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutant

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Abstract

Nanostructured graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has attracted enormous attention as a promising visible-light photocatalyst because of its unique physicochemical properties. However, controlling the nanostructure of g-C3N4 is challenging because the most common template methods are high-cost and high-risk intensive as well as tedious. In this work, tubular g-C3N4 is prepared in situ by annealing a melamine-cyanurate supramolecular array, which is conducted through a H2SO4-assisted precursor self-assembly strategy. The as-prepared samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis, and other photoelectrochemical measurements. Moreover, the band structure of the g-C3N4 nanotubes is investigated to elucidate the carrier separation mechanism. The result shows that the g-C3N4 nanotubes have a hollow structure (average diameter: 0.2–1.2 μm, length: 10–50 μm, and thickness: 15–20 nm) and an enhanced electronic structure. Owing to the high specific surface area of their hierarchical pores and the efficient charge separation of their 1D feature, the g-C3N4 nanotubes exhibit high photocatalytic methylene blue (MB)/tetracycline (TC) degradation rates of 0.0265 min−1 and 0.0110 min−1, which are three and seven times higher than those of Bulk g-C3N4, respectively. Therefore, this study provides a facile and effective strategy for the construction of carbon nitride nanostructures.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Science Foundation of China (21676060 and 21706295), Guangzhou Research Collaborative Innovation Projects (201704020005), Foundation for Distinguished Young Talents in Higher Education of Guangdong (2016KQNCX123), and the Pearl River S&T Nova Program of Guangzhou (201906010024).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China

    Minfeng Cao, Jianliang Zuo, Yongchao Huang & Zili Liu

  2. Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay Area, Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Clean Energy and Materials, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China

    Yongchao Huang

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  1. Minfeng Cao
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Cao, M., Zuo, J., Huang, Y. et al. Synthesis of tubular g-C3N4 via a H2SO4-assisted precursor self-assembly strategy for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutant. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 31, 2022–2029 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-019-02721-y

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