Construction of Z-scheme g-C3N4/Ag/P3HT heterojunction for enhanced visible-light photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline (TC) and methyl orange (MO)

• Published in: Applied surface science 2019-12, Vol.496, p.143653, Article 143653
• Main Authors: Liu, Fei, Nguyen, Thien-Phap, Wang, Qin, Massuyeau, Florian, Dan, Yi, Jiang, Long
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemical Sciences; g-C3N4; Heterojunction; Interface; Material chemistry; Photocatalysis
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2019.143653

Constructing a conductive interface is crucial for the transfer of photoexcited charges in the photocatalytic heterojunction system. In this study, we introduced Ag into g-C3N4/P3HT system to construct a conductive interface which benefits for transfer of photoexcited charges between g-C3N4 and P3HT. A series of characterizations were employed to investigate the chemical structure, morphology and optical property of the obtained catalysts. And the photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared g-C3N4/Ag/P3HT composites were evaluated by the degradation of tetracycline (TC) and methyl orange (MO) aqueous solution under visible light irradiation. Results show that the g-C3N4/Ag/P3HT exhibits a broad absorption band in the region of 400–700 nm and the photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4/Ag/P3HT obtains a great improvement comparing with that of g-C3N4, g-C3N4/Ag and g-C3N4/P3HT. In addition, the optimized loading content of P3HT is 0.3 mass% based on g-C3N4. The enhanced photocatalytic performance is due to the introduction of Ag, which improves the transfer of photoexcited charges between g-C3N4 and P3HT. The active species trapping experiment shows that the main active specie is O2−. After five recycling experiments, the g-C3N4/Ag/P3HT shows high stability in the photocatalytic performance. •g-C3N4/Ag/P3HT with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity was constructed.•The Ag interface improves the transfer of photoexcited charges.•The light absorption region of g-C3N4/Ag/P3HT is widely expanded.•g-C3N4/Ag/P3HT shows high photocatalytic efficiency in degradation of MO and TC.•g-C3N4/Ag/P3HT catalysts maintained high catalytic activity after recycling tests.