Synthesis of halogen doped graphite carbon nitride nanorods with outstanding photocatalytic H2O2 production ability via saturated NH4X (X = Cl, Br) solution-hydrothermal post-treatment

• Published in: Diamond and related materials 2018-08, Vol.87, p.215-222
• Main Authors: Zhang, Chunlong, Bai, Jin, Ma, Lin, Lv, Yang, Wang, Fei, Zhang, Xiaoxin, Yuan, Xingzhou, Hu, Shaozheng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: g-C3N4; H2O2 production; Halogen doping; Hydrothermal post-treatment; Saturated salt solution
• ISSN: 0925-9635; 1879-0062
• DOI: 10.1016/j.diamond.2018.06.013

Doping is a very effective method to promote the photocatalytic performance of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) based catalyst. However, the traditional co-condensation method causes the large particle size, small surface area and low separation rate of electrons-holes. In this work, halogen doped g-C3N4 nanorods with outstanding photocatalytic H2O2 production ability were prepared via saturated NH4X (X = Cl, Br) solution-hydrothermal post-treatment. XRD, N2 adsorption, UV–Vis, SEM, XPS, EPR, EIS and PL were used to characterize the obtained catalysts. Saturated salt solution-hydrothermal post-treatment changed the morphology and surface area of as-prepared g-C3N4 catalyst, as well as doped the halogen atoms into g-C3N4 lattice simultaneously. Br doped g-C3N4 catalyst displayed higher photocatalytic H2O2 production ability than that of Cl doped g-C3N4 catalyst. Compared with traditional co-condensation method, the catalyst prepared via saturated salt solution-hydrothermal post-treatment exhibited larger surface area, more effective separation rate and higher photocatalytic H2O2 production ability. This work can provide a new strategy for doping heteroatoms into g-C3N4 based catalyst. [Display omitted] •Cl or Br doped g-C3N4 nanorods are prepared via saturated salt solution-hydrothermal treatment.•Saturated salt solution-hydrothermal treatment changes the properties of catalysts.•Br doped g-C3N4 displays higher photocatalytic H2O2 production ability than that of Cl doped g-C3N4.•This work can provide a new strategy for doping heteroatoms into g-C3N4 based catalyst.