Preparation of C3N5 nanosheets with enhanced performance in photocatalytic methylene blue (MB) degradation and H2-evolution from water splitting

• Published in: Environmental research 2020-09, Vol.188, p.109741-109741, Article 109741
• Main Authors: Liu, Tianyu, Yang, Guojiang, Wang, Wei, Wang, Chongxi, Wang, Min, Sun, Xiaonan, Xu, Peng, Zhang, Jintao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: C3N5 nanosheet; H2-evolution; MB degradation; Protonation; Visible-light photocatalysis
• ISSN: 0013-9351; 1096-0953
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109741

Ultrathin C3N5 nanosheets with enhanced photocatalytic methylene blue (MB) degradation and H2-evolution performance were prepared from thermal treatment of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (3-AT) and NH4Cl followed with a protonate procedure. The characterization results revealed that the protonating process could contribute to the exfoliation of C3N5 with large surface area, the effective charge transfer capability and the modified band structure. The as-prepared C3N5 nanosheets exhibited enhanced properties in photocatalytic reactions such as MB photodegradation and H2-evolution from water splitting. This study offered a feasible route to prepare highly-efficient two-dimensional photocatalyst, which could be applied potentially for implementation in wide range of energy generation and environmental applications. •Ultrathin C3N5 nanosheets were prepared from thermal treatment of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (3-AT) and NH4Cl followed with a protonate procedure.•The C3N5 nanosheets exhibited enhanced properties in photocatalytic reactions such as MB photodegradation and H2-evolution from water splitting.•The protonating process could contribute to the exfoliation of C3N5 with enhanced surface area, charge transfer mobility and the modified band structure.