Oxygen functional groups in graphitic carbon nitride for enhanced photocatalysis
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
Publisher
Elsevier
School
School of Engineering
RAS ID
21147
Abstract
Metal-free semiconductors offer a new opportunity for environmental photocatalysis toward a potential breakthrough in high photo efficiency with complete prevention of metal leaching. In this study, graphitic carbon nitride (GCN) modified by oxygen functional groups was synthesized by a hydrothermal treatment of pristine GCN at different temperatures with H2O2. Insights into the emerging characteristics of the modified GCN in photocatalysis were obtained by determining the optical properties, band structure, electrochemical activity and pollutant degradation efficiency. It was found that the introduction of GCN with oxygen functional groups can enhance light absorption and accelerate electron transfer so as to improve the photocatalytic reaction efficiency. The photoinduced reactive radicals and the associated photodegradation were investigated by in situ electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The reactive radicals, •O2- and •OH, were responsible for organic degradation.
DOI
10.1016/j.jcis.2016.01.051
Access Rights
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Comments
Liu, S., Li, D., Sun, H., Ang, H. M., Tadé, M. O., & Wang, S. (2016). Oxygen functional groups in graphitic carbon nitride for enhanced photocatalysis. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 468, 176-182. Available here.