Nitrogen-doped Carbon Nanospheres-Modified Graphitic Carbon Nitride with Outstanding Photocatalytic Activity

Abstract

HIGHLIGHTS• Monodisperse nitrogen-doped carbon nanospheres were synthesized and loaded onto graphitic carbon nitride and the composites show outstanding photocatalytic activity.• Improved sulfachloropyridazine degradation is consistent with density functional theory calculation..ABSTRACT Metals and metal oxides are widely used as photo/ electro-catalysts for environmental remediation. However, there are many issues related to these metal-based catalysts for practical applications, such as high cost and detrimental environmental impact due to metal leaching. Carbon-based catalysts have the potential to overcome these limitations. In this study, monodisperse nitrogen-doped carbon nanospheres (NCs) were synthesized and loaded onto graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 , GCN) via a facile hydrothermal method for photocatalytic removal of sulfachloropyridazine (SCP). The prepared metal-free GCN-NC exhibited remarkably enhanced efficiency in SCP degradation. The nitrogen content in NC critically influences the physicochemical properties and performances of the resultant hybrids. The optimum nitrogen doping concentration was identified at 6.0 wt%. The SCP removal rates can be improved by a factor of 4.7 and 3.2, under UV and visible lights, by the GCN-NC composite due to the enhanced charge mobility and visible light harvesting. The mechanism of the improved photocatalytic performance and band structure alternation were further investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The DFT results confirm the high capability of the GCN-NC hybrids to activate the electron-hole pairs by reducing the band gap energy and efficiently separating electron/hole pairs. Superoxide and hydroxyl radicals are subsequently produced, leading to the efficient SCP removal.

Glucose‐Derived N‐Doped Graphitic Carbon: Facile One‐Pot Graphitic Structure‐Controlled Chemical Synthesis with Comprehensive Insight into the Controlling Mechanisms

“…For instance, as chemical vapor sensors, [15] and photocatalysts for water remediation. [16] Chemical functionalization of NGCMs with surfactants can further improve their applicable performance as it enhances the dispersion state of their composing structural segments which increases the material surface area, [17] and meanwhile tailors their surfaces to be hydrophilic or hydrophobic as a good fit for specific application. [18] Therefore, development of NGCMs with high-quality functional properties via economic, ecofriendly and easy-to-operate scalable synthesis strategy is tremendous worldwide desire for substantial progress of various applications in technological industries including energy, electronics, water purification and biomedical industries.…”

“…Therefore, not specifically NG but generally NGCMs exhibit outstanding performance, compared to the pristine corresponding materials, in various technological applications. For instance, as chemical vapor sensors, [15] and photocatalysts for water remediation [16] . Chemical functionalization of NGCMs with surfactants can further improve their applicable performance as it enhances the dispersion state of their composing structural segments which increases the material surface area, [17] and meanwhile tailors their surfaces to be hydrophilic or hydrophobic as a good fit for specific application [18] .…”

Non-metal sensory electrode design and protocol of DNA-nucleobases in living cells exposed to oxidative stresses

“…Carbon-based materials are widely used to fabricate electrochemical sensor for Gu, Ad, and Th [28][29][30][31][32][33]. The key features of carbon electrodes for Gu, Ad, and Th are large surface coverage, porosity, surface heterogeneity with actively doped heteroatoms, such as P, N and B, and high electrical conductivity; these properties enable the synthesis of sensors with sensitive and selective binding capability to Gu, Ad, and Th [34][35][36]. In this regard, doping of heteroatoms is of interest.…”

Hollow Carbon Sphere‐Modified Graphitic Carbon Nitride for Efficient Photocatalytic H2 Production

“…According to reports, carbon materials can be used as metal-free sustainable catalysts or cocatalysts. Significant progress has been made in the coupling of CN with carbon nanospheres, [24] graphene, [25] carbon quantum dots, [26] C 60 , [27] and carbon nanotubes. [1a,28] Due to the unique nanostructure characteristics, such as large specific surface area and excellent electron transfer rate, it could increase the separation of photo-generated charges and significantly change the electronic structure and band gap of CN.…”