Facile synthesis of g-C₃N₄ nanosheets loaded with WO₃ nanoparticles with enhanced photocatalytic performance under visible light irradiation

Abstract

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) nanosheets loaded with WO 3 nanoparticles were prepared via heat treatment of g-C 3 N 4 together with WO x -EDA nanobelts. The thermal treatment temperature and WO x -EDA precursor play the key role in enhancing the interaction between WO 3 nanoparticles and g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets, because the temperature of thermal decomposition of WO x -EDA ($400 C) is close to the thermal exfoliation temperature of g-C 3 N 4 . The structure evolution and promotion effect of the nanocomposites in photocatalytic performance were well studied. It is found that WO 3 nanoparticles uniformly dispersed on the surface of the g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets, and the close integration of WO 3 and g-C 3 N 4 lead to the high photocatalytic activity in the degradation of RhB under visible light irradiation.Meanwhile, a larger specific area and increase of visible light absorption are also of benefit to speed up the degradation of organic dye. Also, the mechanism of the photocatalytic reaction and its reutilization properties were investigated.

Boosting the performance of visible light‐driven WO 3 /g‐C 3 N 4 anchored with BiVO 4 nanoparticles for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

“…Recently, WO 3 and g‐C 3 N 4 have been observed with great scientific research contribution due to their suitable chemical and physical properties, thermal stability, cost competitiveness, and low toxicity . Although, WO 3 exhibits a reasonably high resistance against photo‐corrosion, great electron‐transport properties, and adequate hole‐diffusion length when compared with other metal oxides like TiO 2 and Fe 2 O 3 .…”

“…Recently, WO 3 and g-C 3 N 4 have been observed with great scientific research contribution due to their suitable chemical and physical properties, thermal stability, cost competitiveness, and low toxicity. 11 Although, WO 3 exhibits a reasonably high resistance against photocorrosion, great electron-transport properties, and adequate hole-diffusion length when compared with other metal oxides like TiO 2 and Fe 2 O 3 . However, photocatalytic efficiency of WO 3 is greatly limited because of high rate of recombination of electrons and holes pairs, low reduction potential, and comparatively less chemical stability under neutral/basic conditions.…”

Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation Activity of BiFeO3 Microspheres by Decoration with g-C3N4 Nanoparticles

“…The X value of BiFeO 3 is calculated to be 5.93 eV based on the data reported in literatures 34,35 , and the X value for g-C 3 N 4 nanoparticles is reported to be 4.72 eV 36 . The VB potentials of BiFeO 3 and g-C 3 N 4 nanoparticles are calculated to be 2.53 and 1.66 V vs. NHE, and the CB potentials of BiFeO 3 and g-C 3 N 4 nanoparticles are estimated to be 0.33 and -1.22 V vs. NHE, respectively.…”

Enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen energy production of g-C3 N4 -WO3 composites under visible light irradiation

“…In addition to low energy bandgap, this material has excellent optical and mechanical properties, super rigidity, nontoxicity, high surface area, and is cost effective. Graphitic carbon nitrite has versatile characteristics including valence and conduction band (CB) potential as CB = −1.12 and CB = 1.58 eV . These properties help the graphitic material to give high production rate for hydrogen evolution.…”

“…Graphitic carbon nitrite has versatile characteristics including valence and conduction band (CB) potential as CB = −1.12 and CB = 1.58 eV. 21 These properties help the graphitic material to give high production rate for hydrogen evolution. This material extended the absorption band which favors to enhance the photocatalytic property of the prepared material.…”