Visible light active metal-free photocatalysis: N-doped graphene covalently grafted with g-C3N4 for highly robust degradation of methyl orange

• Published in: Solid state sciences 2019-08, Vol.94, p.99-105
• Main Authors: Santha kumar, Kavitha, Vellaichamy, Balakumar, Paulmony, Tharmaraj
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Graphitic carbon nitride; Metal-free; Methyl orange; Nitrogen doped graphene; Photocatalytic activity
• ISSN: 1293-2558; 1873-3085
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2019.06.003

Green and sustainable metal-free heterogeneous photocatalyst and their structures are an essential role for the environmental remediation and clean energy production, but the construction of meal-free, highly active and low-cost photocatalyst has remained a great challenge. This paper deals with a simple and novel metal-free nitrogen-doped graphene covalently grafted with graphitic carbon nitride (NG@g-C3N4) nanocomposite was synthesized by an ultra-sonication method. The as-prepared nanocomposite was characterized by UV–vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy, FT-IR, XRD, TEM, BET surface areas, photoluminescence and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Notably, the NG@g-C3N4 is exhibits efficient degradation of methyl orange and the efficiency was achieved by nearly 100% within 35 min. These remarkably observed photocatalytic activities can be attributed to the well adsorption capability of visible light, high surface area and great charge separations are due to the synergistic effect of NG grafted to g-C3N4. Meanwhile, the photocatalytic mechanism is also studied and investigated. It is hoped that our work can provide a robust way to create metal-free photocatalysts for water remediation and beyond. A simple and novel metal-free nitrogen-doped graphene covalently grafted with g-C3N4 nanocomposite was synthesized and it was exhibits highly robust photo degradation towards methyl orange. [Display omitted] •Synthesis of a novel metal-free NG grafted g-C3N4 nanocomposite via an ultra-sonication method.•Metal-free NG@g-C3N4 exhibits remarkably enhanced photocatalytic activity.•The NG@g-C3N4 has good stability and reusability.