Potassium-doped g-C3N4 enables efficient visible-light-driven dye degradation

Abstract

Elements doping is recognized as an e cient method to boost the photocatalytic performance of photocatalysts. Here, a new potassium ion-doped precursor, potassium sorbate, was employed in melamine con guration during calcination process to prepare the potassium doped g-C 3 N 4 (KCN). By various characterization techniques and electrochemical measurements, the doping of K in g-C 3 N 4 can e ciently modify the band structure to enhance the light absorption, greatly increase the conductivity to accelerate charge transfer and photo-generated carriers separation, ultimately achieving an excellent photodegradation of the organic pollutant (methylene blue, MB). These results have demonstrated that the approach of potassium incorporation in g-C 3 N 4 has potential in fabricating high-performance photocatalysts for organic pollutants removal. Highlights 1. K incorporated g-C 3 N 4 was successfully fabricated with a new precursor.2. KCN exhibited improved conductivity and photo-generated carriers separation.3. KCN showed an improved photocatalytic activity in degrading MB.