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Simultaneous morphology, band structure, and defect optimization of graphitic carbon nitride microsphere by the precursor concentration to boost photocatalytic activity

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Abstract

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) microspheres (CNMS) were fabricated via a solvothermal method by using dicyandiamide and cyanuric chloride as precursors. The morphology, band structure, and defects can be simultaneously regulated by merely adjusting the concentration of precursors. Structural characterization results indicate that all the prepared samples possess spherical morphology, while the band gap decreased as the precursor concentration increased from 8 mmol (CNMS-1) to 24 mmol (CNMS-3). Besides, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy results suggested that the valence band of CNMS-2 (16 mmol) was much higher than that of CNMS-1 and CNMS-3. Additionally, organic elemental analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electron paramagnetic resonance results unveil the formation of nitrogen defects on the surface of prepared samples. Besides, CNMS-2 exhibits an enhanced apparent reaction rate constant of RhB degradation than that of CNMS-1 and CNMS-3. The improved apparent reaction rate constant may be due to the lowered valence band as well as the formation of nitrogen defects. This work might guide the regulation of the morphology and band structure of g-C3N4-based materials prepared via the one-pot hydrothermal method.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was financially supported by the National Science and Technology Major Project (No. 2016ZX05040003) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Nos. 17CX06027 and 18CX06068A).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Pollution Control, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao, 266580, People’s Republic of China

    Shuaijun Wang, Fengting He, Pei Dong, Zhaoxin Tai, Chaocheng Zhao, Yongqiang Wang & Fang Liu

  2. College of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266590, People’s Republic of China

    Lin Li

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  1. Shuaijun Wang
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Correspondence to Chaocheng Zhao.

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Wang, S., He, F., Dong, P. et al. Simultaneous morphology, band structure, and defect optimization of graphitic carbon nitride microsphere by the precursor concentration to boost photocatalytic activity. Journal of Materials Research 33, 3917–3927 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1557/jmr.2018.342

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