Optimized design of visible light-driven g-C3N4 nanorod/Ag3PO4 Z-scheme heterojunction with enhanced interfacial charge separation and photocatalytic activity

Abstract

A g-C 3 N 4 nanorod/Ag 3 PO 4 (CN-A) Z-Scheme heterojunction, which can response to visible light, was prepared through a convenient and green approach. The as-synthesized CN-A heterojunction have a well-defined nanostructure in which g-C 3 N 4 nanorod as core carrier for loading Ag 3 PO 4 particles, and stronger visible light absorption between 400 and 700 nm. The degradation efficiency of rhodamine B and tetracycline over CN-A2 sample almost approached to 95 and 91% after irradiation of 60 and 120 min, respectively. Besides, the degradation efficiency of RhB in circulating experiments almost no change. PL spectra and N 2 -sorption curves showed that the CN-A2 heterojunction not only promoted the abruption and migration of photo-generated charge carriers, but also provided abundant active sites for the active reaction, which were two major contributions for the enhanced activity of CN-A2 photocatalyst. The Z-Scheme mechanism of charge transfer and degradation procedure were explored and discussed based on ESR test and capture experiments of active species during the illumination time.