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Synthesis of BiVO4-g-C3N4 composite photocatalyst with improved visible light-induced photocatalytic activity

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Abstract

The novel visible light-induced carbon nitride (g-C3N4) and BiVO4 composite photocatalysts were obtained through a simple mixing-calcination method. The physical and photophysical properties of the BiVO4-g-C3N4 composites were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, UV-vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), photoluminescent (PL) spectroscopy, and BET surface area measurements. Photocatalytic oxidation ability of the prepared samples was examined by studying the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) as a target pollutant under visible-light irradiation. The composite photocatalysts exhibited an enhanced photocatalytic performance in degrading RhB. The optimal g-C3N4 content of the composite photocatalysts was determined for the photodegradation activity. The improved photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared composite photocatalyst may be attributed to the enhancement of photo-generated electron-hole separation at the interface.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Transportation, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China

    Ming Yang  (杨明)

  2. Bio-Chemistry Department, Wenshan University, Wenshan, 663000, China

    Xiaoqi Jin

Authors
  1. Ming Yang  (杨明)
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  2. Xiaoqi Jin
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Correspondence to Ming Yang  (杨明).

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Funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51208102)

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Yang, M., Jin, X. Synthesis of BiVO4-g-C3N4 composite photocatalyst with improved visible light-induced photocatalytic activity. J. Wuhan Univ. Technol.-Mat. Sci. Edit. 30, 217–222 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11595-015-1128-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11595-015-1128-3

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