Synthesis and characterization of g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/Cu{sub 2}O composite catalyst with enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation

Journal Article · Fri Aug 15 00:00:00 EDT 2014 · Materials Research Bulletin

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATERRESBULL.2014.04.042· OSTI ID:22420524

Peng, Biyu; Zhang, Shengsen; Yang, Siyuan; Wang, Hongjuan; Yu, Hao ^[1]; Zhang, Shanqing ^[2]; Peng, Feng ^[1]

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1. School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640 (China)
2. Centre for Clean Environment and Energy, Griffith School of Environment, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, QLD 4222 (Australia)

The prepared g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/Cu{sub 2}O composite exhibited the enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible-light irradiation due to the stronger ability in separation of electron–hole pairs, which was proven by the transient photocurrent measurement. - Highlights: • The coupled Cu{sub 2}O with g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} of narrow-band-gap semiconductor has been designed. • g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/Cu{sub 2}O is prepared via an alcohol-aqueous based on chemical precipitation method. • g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/Cu{sub 2}O exhibits the enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible-light. • The enhanced photocatalytic activity is proven by the transient photocurrent test. • A mechanism for the visible-light-driven photocatalysis of g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/Cu{sub 2}O is revealed. - Abstract: To overcome the drawback of low photocatalytic efficiency brought by electron–hole pairs recombination and narrow photo-response range, a novel g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/Cu{sub 2}O composite photocatalyst was designed and prepared successfully. Compared with bare Cu{sub 2}O and g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}, the g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/Cu{sub 2}O composite exhibited significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity for acid orange-II (AO-II) degradation under visible light irradiation. Based on energy band positions, the mechanism of enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity was proposed.

• OSTI ID: 22420524
• Journal Information: Materials Research Bulletin, Journal Name: Materials Research Bulletin Vol. 56; ISSN MRBUAC; ISSN 0025-5408
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ALCOHOLS
CARBON NITRIDES
CATALYSTS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
COPPER OXIDES
ELECTRONS
HOLES
IRRADIATION
NANOSTRUCTURES
PHOTOCATALYSIS
PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
PRECIPITATION
RECOMBINATION
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
SYNTHESIS
TRANSIENTS
VISIBLE RADIATION