A template-free method to synthesize porous G-C3N4 with efficient visible light photodegradation of organic pollutants in water

• Published in: Advanced powder technology : the international journal of the Society of Powder Technology, Japan Japan, 2018-11, Vol.29 (11), p.2785-2791
• Main Authors: Boorboor Azimi, Elham, Badiei, Alireza, Hossaini Sadr, Moayad, Amiri, Ahmad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Dye degradation; Graphitic carbon nitride; Photocatalysis; Rhodamine B; Zeta potential
• ISSN: 0921-8831; 1568-5527
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apt.2018.07.027

[Display omitted] •Melamine was placed into the hot furnace at 550 °C to produce new g-C3N4.•A porous g-C3N4 with enhance specific surface area was synthesized.•HPCN photodegraded RhB under visible light with the rate constant of 0.086 min−1.•HPCN showed a very high reusability and stability for RhB degradation. Porous graphitic carbon nitride with a high surface area was successfully synthesized without using any template or other substances like metals, just by placing melamine powder into a muffle furnace which was heated to 550 °C in advance. To evaluate the structure, morphology, and optical properties, the high performance g-C3N4 (HPCN) was analyzed by XRD, SEM-EDX, TEM, N2 physisorption, FT-IR analysis, UV–Vis DRS, PL, and Zeta potential. HPCN was able to completely degrade rhodamine B under visible light with the rate constant of 0.086 min−1, which is 3.5 times higher than the traditional g-C3N4. The possible mechanism of RhB photodegradation was discussed in detail, which illustrated the reaction is performed in acidic media much better than neutral and basic solutions, and O2− and h+ are the key reactive species during the reaction. Moreover, the stability of the photocatalyst was investigated and turned out its photocatalytic activity has not considerably changed after 6 cycles, so it was a highly stable photocatalyst.