Mechanism of visible photon absorption: unveiling of the C₃N₄–ZnO photoactive interface by means of EPR spectroscopy

Abstract

This study elucidates the working mechanism upon visible light of the mixed C3N4-ZnO material. Structural (XRD) morphological (TEM) and optical (UV-vis) measurements have highlighted the intimate contact established at the...

Comparison of the Photocatalytic Activity of ZnO/CeO2 and ZnO/Yb2O3 Mixed Systems in the Phenol Removal from Water: A Mechanicistic Approach

“…However, the material presents some intrinsic drawbacks that have severely limited its applications in the photocatalytic field, as the UV region (3.3 eV) falling band gap and the high recombination rate [26,29]. Different types of techniques have been developed and proposed to increase the photocatalytic ability of ZnO overcoming its limitations such as the intrinsic and extrinsic doping [30][31][32], the formation of solid solutions and the creation of heterojunctions with other oxides [33][34][35]. This last strategic approach has been considered of particular importance in the developing of even more efficient transition metal oxides based photocatalysts.…”

Morphology and Light‐Dependent Spatial Distribution of Spin Defects in Carbon Nitride

“…The presence of radical species in carbon nitride is well-known and has been extensively documented. [25][26][27][28][29] However, most EPR experiments have been conducted at 9.5 GHz (X-band frequency) and lack sufficient spectral resolution. The higher microwave frequency used to record the spectra reported in Figure 2b, c allows for a higher resolution and demonstrates that presence of multiple species and an intricate response under photoexcitation.…”

“…Figures 2b, c report the EPR spectra recorded at 33.8 GHz (Q‐band). The presence of radical species in carbon nitride is well‐known and has been extensively documented [25–29] . However, most EPR experiments have been conducted at 9.5 GHz (X‐band frequency) and lack sufficient spectral resolution.…”

Boosting light-driven CO2 reduction into solar fuels: Mainstream avenues for engineering ZnO-based photocatalysts

“…Recently, Cerrato and his peer group synthesized ZnO/g-C 3 N 4 mixture of 50:50 M ratios of one-step thermal annealing technique at 823 K using Zn (NO 3 ) 3 ⋅6H 2 O and melamine as a precursor (Cerrato and Paganini, 2020). From TEM results, the presence of ZnO NPs wrapped by the multilayer assembling structure of g-C 3 N 4 was observed, indicating the interface region's formation (Fig.…”