Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Construction of nitrogen vacant g-C3N4 nanosheet supported Ag3PO4 nanoparticle Z-scheme photocatalyst for improved visible-light photocatalytic activity

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

A Correction to this article was published on 28 March 2022

This article has been updated

Abstract

The superior photocatalytic activity of semiconductor-based photocatalytic materials has attracted great attention. In this work, a series of novel Ag3PO4/g-C3N4−x (APO/CNx) composites with the Z-scheme structure were fabricated through a facile precipitation method. B naphthol, a typical phenolic compound, was selected to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of all as-prepared photocatalysts. The obtained APO/CNx composites exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity for degradation of B naphthol under visible-light irradiation. Experimental results showed that the degradation rate toward B naphthol could reach to 90.5% for 180 min, which was almost 3.66 times higher than pure g-C3N4, indicating that the presence of nitrogen vacancies and Z-scheme structure could efficiently improve the photocatalytic performance of pure g-C3N4. Furthermore, the results of trapping experiments and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy manifest that •O2− and •OH radicals were the predominant active substances for B naphthol degradation, and the possible mechanism of improved photocatalytic performance was elucidated. This work will provide an innovative perspective for constructing Z-scheme photocatalysts for the application of photocatalytic in the field of wastewater treatment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7 
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Change history

References

  • Baransi K, Dubowski Y, Sabbah I (2012) Synergetic effect between photocatalytic degradation and adsorption processes on the removal of phenolic compounds from olive mill wastewater. Water Res 46:789–798

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boruah PK, Sharma B, Karbhal I, Shelke MV, Das MR (2017) Ammonia-modified graphene sheets decorated with magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles for the photocatalytic and photo-Fenton degradation of phenolic compounds under sunlight irradiation. J Hazard Mater 325:90–100

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Butler MA (1977): Photoelectrolysis and physical properties of the semiconducting electrode WO2. J Appl Phys 48, 1914–1920

  • Chen Z, Wang W, Zhang Z, Fang X (2013) High-efficiency visible-light-driven Ag3PO4/AgI photocatalysts: Z-scheme photocatalytic mechanism for their enhanced photocatalytic activity. J Physical Chem C 117:19346–19352

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cui X, Tian L, Xian X, Tang H, Yang X (2018) Solar photocatalytic water oxidation over Ag3PO4/g-C 3N4 composite materials mediated by metallic Ag and graphene. Appl Surf Sci 430:108–115

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dai K, Lv J, Lu L, Liu Q, Zhu G, Li D (2014) Synthesis of micro-nano heterostructure AgBr/ZnO composite for advanced visible light photocatalysis. Mater Lett 130:5–8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Di T, Zhu B, Cheng B, Yu J, Xu J (2017) A direct Z-scheme g-C3N4/SnS2 photocatalyst with superior visible-light CO2 reduction performance. J Catal 352:532–541

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Di Y, Wang X, Thomas A, Antonietti M (2010): Making metal-carbon nitride heterojunctions for improved photocatalytic hydrogen evolution with visible light. ChemCatChem 2, 834-838

  • Ding Z, Chen X, Antonietti M, Wang X (2011) Synthesis of transition metal-modified carbon nitride polymers for selective hydrocarbon oxidation. ChemSusChem 4, 274-81

  • Fan H, Yi G, Tian Q, Zhang X, Xing B, Zhang C, Chen L, Zhang Y (2020) Hydrothermal-template synthesis and electrochemical properties of Co3O4/nitrogen-doped hemisphere-porous graphene composites with 3D heterogeneous structure. RSC Adv 10:36794–36805

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fan H, Yi G, Zhang X, Xing B, Zhang C, Chen L, Zhang Y (2021): Facile synthesis of uniformly loaded Fe3O4–TiO2/RGO ternary hybrids for enhanced photocatalytic activities. Optic Mater 111

  • Gavrilescu M, Demnerova K, Aamand J, Agathos S, Fava F (2015) Emerging pollutants in the environment: present and future challenges in biomonitoring, ecological risks and bioremediation. N Biotechnol 32:147–156

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guo F, Cai Y, Guan W, Huang H, Liu Y (2017) Graphite carbon nitride/ZnIn2S4 heterojunction photocatalyst with enhanced photocatalytic performance for degradation of tetracycline under visible light irradiation. J Phys Chem Solids 110:370–378

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • He Y, Zhang L, Wang X, Wu Y, Lin H, Zhao L, Weng W, Wan H, Fan M (2014) Enhanced photodegradation activity of methyl orange over Z-scheme type MoO3–g-C3N4 composite under visible light irradiation. RSC Adv 4:13610–13619

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • He Y, Zhang L, Teng B, Fan M (2015) New application of Z-scheme Ag3PO4/g-C3N4 composite in converting CO2 to fuel. Environ Sci Technol 49:649–656

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jo W-K, Selvam NCS (2017) Z-scheme CdS/g-C3N4 composites with RGO as an electron mediator for efficient photocatalytic H2 production and pollutant degradation. Chem Eng J 317:913–924

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ling F, Li W, Ye L (2019) The synergistic effect of non-metal doping or defect engineering and interface coupling on the photocatalytic property of g-C3N4: first-principle investigations. Appl Surf Sci 473:386–392

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu H, Liang J, Fu S, Li L, Cui J, Gao P, Zhao F, Zhou J (2020): N doped carbon quantum dots modified defect-rich g-C3N4 for enhanced photocatalytic combined pollutions degradation and hydrogen evolution. Colloid Surf A: Physicochem Eng Aspects 591

  • Liu S, Sun H, O’Donnell K, Ang HM, Tade MO, Wang S (2016) Metal-free melem/g-C3N4 hybrid photocatalysts for water treatment. J Colloid Interface Sci 464:10–17

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu W, Shen J, Yang X, Liu Q, Tang H (2018) Dual Z-scheme g-C3N4/Ag3PO4/Ag2MoO4 ternary composite photocatalyst for solar oxygen evolution from water splitting. Appl Surf Sci 456:369–378

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lu N, Wang P, Su Y, Yu H, Liu N, Quan X (2019) Construction of Z-Scheme g-C3N4/RGO/WO3 with in situ photoreduced graphene oxide as electron mediator for efficient photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin. Chemosphere 215:444–453

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ma S, Zhan S, Jia Y, Shi Q, Zhou Q (2016) Enhanced disinfection application of Ag-modified g-C3N4 composite under visible light. Appl Catal B 186:77–87

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ma T, Wu J, Mi Y, Chen Q, Ma D, Chai C (2017) Novel Z-Scheme g-C3N4/C@Bi2MoO6 composite with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity for β-naphthol degradation. Sep Purif Technol 183:54–65

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ma W, Wang N, Guo Y, Yang L, Lv M, Tang X, Li S (2020): Enhanced photoreduction CO2 activity on g-C3N4: By synergistic effect of nitrogen defective-enriched and porous structure, and mechanism insights. Chem Eng J 388

  • Martinkova L, Kotik M, Markova E, Homolka L (2016) Biodegradation of phenolic compounds by Basidiomycota and its phenol oxidases: a review. Chemosphere 149:373–382

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Miao X, Yue X, Ji Z, Shen X, Zhou H, Liu M, Xu K, Zhu J, Zhu G, Kong L, Shah SA (2018) Nitrogen-doped carbon dots decorated on g-C3N4/Ag3PO4 photocatalyst with improved visible light photocatalytic activity and mechanism insight. Appl Catal B 227:459–469

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Preis S, Kamenev S, Kallas J, Munter R (1995): Advanced oxidation processes against phenolic compounds in wastewater treatment. Ozone: Sci Eng 17, 399–418

  • Reddy PVL, Kim KH, Kavitha B, Kumar V, Raza N, Kalagara S (2018) Photocatalytic degradation of bisphenol A in aqueous media: a review. J Environ Manage 213:189–205

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shan X, Ge G, Zhao Z (2019) Fabrication of tubular g-C3N4 with N-defects and extended π-conjugated system for promoted photocatalytic hydrogen production. ChemCatChem 11:1534–1544

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sridharan K, Jang E, Park TJ (2013) Novel visible light active graphitic C3N4–TiO2 composite photocatalyst: synergistic synthesis, growth and photocatalytic treatment of hazardous pollutants. Appl Catal B 142–143:718–728

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang H, Fu Y, Chang S, Xie S, Tang G (2017) Construction of Ag3PO4/Ag2MoO4 Z-scheme heterogeneous photocatalyst for the remediation of organic pollutants. Chin J Catal 38:337–347

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tang M, Ao Y, Wang C, Wang P (2020): Facile synthesis of dual Z-scheme g-C3N4/Ag3PO4/AgI composite photocatalysts with enhanced performance for the degradation of a typical neonicotinoid pesticide. Appl Catalysis B: Environ 268

  • Villegas LGC, Mashhadi N, Chen M, Mukherjee D, Taylor KE, Biswas N (2016) A short review of techniques for phenol removal from wastewater. Current Pollut Rep 2:157–167

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vo NQD, Huynh NDT, Le MV, Vo KD, Vo DVN (2020): Fabrication of Ag‐photodeposited TiO2 /cordierite honeycomb monolith photoreactors for 2‐naphthol degradation. J Chem Technol Biotechnol

  • Wang H, Zou L, Shan Y, Wang X (2018) Ternary GO/Ag3PO4/AgBr composite as an efficient visible-light-driven photocatalyst. Mater Res Bull 97:189–194

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang W, Yu JC, Xia D, Wong PK, Li Y (2013) Graphene and g-C3N4 nanosheets cowrapped elemental alpha-sulfur as a novel metal-free heterojunction photocatalyst for bacterial inactivation under visible-light. Environ Sci Technol 47:8724–8732

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Maeda K, Thomas A, Takanabe K, Xin G, Carlsson JM, Domen K, Antonietti M (2009) A metal-free polymeric photocatalyst for hydrogen production from water under visible light. Nat Mater 8:76–80

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Cheng J, Yu H, Yu J (2017) A facile hydrothermal synthesis of carbon dots modified g-C3N4 for enhanced photocatalytic H2-evolution performance. Dalton Trans 46:6417–6424

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Z, Xing B, Zeng H, Huang G, Liu X, Guo H, Zhang C, Cao Y, Chen Z (2021): Space-confined carbonization strategy for synthesis of carbon nanosheets from glucose and coal tar pitch for high-performance lithium-ion batteries. Appl Surface Sci 547

  • Wen J, Xie J, Chen X, Li X (2017) A review on g-C3N4-based photocatalysts. Appl Surf Sci 391:72–123

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu Y, Liu L-M, An X, Wei T (2019) New insights into interfacial photocharge transfer in TiO2/C3N4 heterostructures: effects of facets and defects. New J Chem 43:4511–4517

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xia P, Zhu B, Yu J, Cao S, Jaroniec M (2017) Ultra-thin nanosheet assemblies of graphitic carbon nitride for enhanced photocatalytic CO2 reduction. J Mater Chem A 5:3230–3238

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xing B, Zeng H, Huang G, Jia J, Yuan R, Zhang C, Sun Q, Cao Y, Chen Z, Liu B (2021): Magnesium citrate induced growth of noodle-like porous graphitic carbons from coal tar pitch for high-performance lithium-ion batteries. Electrochimica Acta 376

  • Xu JW, Gao ZD, Han K, Liu Y, Song YY (2014) Synthesis of magnetically separable Ag3PO4/TiO2/Fe3O4 heterostructure with enhanced photocatalytic performance under visible light for photoinactivation of bacteria. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 6:15122–15131

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yan SC, Li ZS, Zou ZG (2010a) Photodegradation of rhodamine B and methyl orange over boron-doped g-C3N4 under visible light irradiation. Langmuir 26:3894–3901

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yan SC, Lv SB, Li ZS, Zou ZG (2010b) Organic-inorganic composite photocatalyst of g-C3N4 and TaON with improved visible light photocatalytic activities. Dalton Trans 39:1488–1491

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang X, Cui H, Li Y, Qin J, Zhang R, Tang H (2013) Fabrication of Ag3PO4-graphene composites with highly efficient and stable visible light photocatalytic performance. ACS Catal 3:363–369

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang X, Chen Z, Xu J, Tang H, Chen K, Jiang Y (2015) Tuning the morphology of g-C3N4 for improvement of Z-scheme photocatalytic water oxidation. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 7:15285–15293

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang X, Tian L, Zhao X, Tang H, Liu Q, Li G (2019) Interfacial optimization of g-C3N4-based Z-scheme heterojunction toward synergistic enhancement of solar-driven photocatalytic oxygen evolution. Appl Catal B 244:240–249

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ye S, Wang R, Wu M-Z, Yuan Y-P (2015) A review on g-C3N4 for photocatalytic water splitting and CO2 reduction. Appl Surf Sci 358:15–27

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yi Z, Ye J, Kikugawa N, Kako T, Ouyang S, Stuart-Williams H, Yang H, Cao J, Luo W, Li Z, Liu Y, Withers RL (2010) An orthophosphate semiconductor with photooxidation properties under visible-light irradiation. Nat Mater 9:559–564

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yu H, Xue Y, Lu Y, Wang X, Zhu S, Qin W, Huo M (2020): Novel application of a Z-scheme photocatalyst of Ag3PO4@g-C3N4 for photocatalytic fuel cells. J Environ Manage 254, 109738

  • Yu J, Wang S, Cheng B, Lin Z, Huang F (2013): Noble metal-free Ni(OH)2–g-C3N4 composite photocatalyst with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic H2-production activity. Catalysis Sci Technol 3

  • Zang Y, Li L, Li X, Lin R, Li G (2014) Synergistic collaboration of g-C3N4/SnO2 composites for enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity. Chem Eng J 246:277–286

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang J, Lv J, Dai K, Liu Q, Liang C, Zhu G (2017) Facile and green synthesis of novel porous g-C3N 4/Ag3PO4 composite with enhanced visible light photocatalysis. Ceram Int 43:1522–1529

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Q, Wang M, Ao M, Luo Y, Zhang A, Zhao L, Yan L, Deng F, Luo X (2019) Solvothermal synthesis of Z-scheme AgIn5S8/Bi2WO6 nano-heterojunction with excellent performance for photocatalytic degradation and Cr(VI) reduction. J Alloy Compd 805:41–49

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang X, Yi G, Zhang Z, Yu J, Fan H, Li P, Zeng H, Xing B, Chen L, Zhang C (2021) Magnetic graphene-based nanocomposites as highly efficient absorbents for Cr(VI) removal from wastewater. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 28:14671–14680

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zwara J, Grabowska E, Klimczuk T, Lisowski W, Zaleska-Medynska A (2018) Shape-dependent enhanced photocatalytic effect under visible light of Ag3PO4 particles. J Photochem Photobiol, A 367:240–252

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This work was supported by the National Key Research Plan (2018YFB0604500), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (U1803114), the Key Scientific and Technological Project of Henan Province (202102210183), the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (207500), Outstanding Foreign Scientists Studio of Coal Green Conversion of Henan Province (GZS2020012), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51974110) and the Program for Science and Technology Innovation Talents in Universities of Henan Province (21HASTIT008).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, 454003, China

    Xiuxiu Zhang, Guiyun Yi, Peng Li, Xiaomeng Zheng, Xuhang Shen, Kunlei Ning, Lunjian Chen, Chuanxiang Zhang, Yulong Zhang & Qi Sun

  2. Collaborative Innovation Center of Coal Work Safety of Henan Province, Jiaozuo, 454003, China

    Xiuxiu Zhang, Guiyun Yi, Peng Li, Lunjian Chen, Chuanxiang Zhang, Yulong Zhang & Qi Sun

  3. Henan Key Laboratory of Coal Green Conversion, Jiaozuo, 454003, China

    Xiuxiu Zhang, Guiyun Yi, Peng Li, Lunjian Chen, Chuanxiang Zhang, Yulong Zhang & Qi Sun

  4. State Collaborative Innovation Center of Coal Work Safety and Clean-Efficiency Utilization, Jiaozuo, 454003, China

    Guiyun Yi

Authors
  1. Xiuxiu Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Guiyun Yi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Peng Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Xiaomeng Zheng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Xuhang Shen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Kunlei Ning
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Lunjian Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Chuanxiang Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Yulong Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Qi Sun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

XZ and YG designed the research. XZ, XZ, KN and XS performed the experiment. XZ, PL and YG analyzed the data. XZ, YG, LC, CZ, YZ and QS wrote the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Guiyun Yi or Lunjian Chen.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval

Not applicable.

Consent to participate

Not applicable.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Sami Rtimi

Publisher's note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

The original online version of this article was revised: The published paper is the uncorrected proof.

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (DOCX 394 KB)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zhang, X., Yi, G., Li, P. et al. Construction of nitrogen vacant g-C3N4 nanosheet supported Ag3PO4 nanoparticle Z-scheme photocatalyst for improved visible-light photocatalytic activity. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29, 23094–23103 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-17286-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-17286-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation