Visible light-driven g-C3N4@ZnO heterojunction photocatalyst synthesized via atomic layer deposition with a specially designed rotary reactor

• Published in: Applied surface science Vol. 487; pp. 206 - 210
• Main Authors: Jang, Eunyong, Kim, Dae Woong, Hong, Seong Hwan, Park, Young Min, Park, Tae Joo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-09-2019
• Subjects: Atomic layer deposition; Graphitic carbon nitride; Photocatalyst; Visible light; ZnO; Visible light; ZnO; Atomic layer deposition; Photocatalyst; Graphitic carbon nitride
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2019.05.035

A g-C3N4@ZnO heterojunction is demonstrated using atomic layer deposition (ALD) of ZnO. A specially designed rotary reactor was used to maintain mechanical dispersion of g-C3N4 powder during the ALD process. Stable, uniform, and intimate heterojunctions between g-C3N4 and ZnO were produced, which induced effective charge separation; thus, the photocatalytic activity of the composites was enhanced. The photocatalytic performance was evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue dye. The photocatalytic reaction rate constant of the optimal g-C3N4@ZnO with five ALD cycles was five times and two times higher than those of pristine g-C3N4 and g-C3N4@TiO2 composite, respectively. Furthermore, the photocorrosion of ZnO was inhibited by coupling with g-C3N4, which was confirmed through cyclic photo-degradation with three consecutive dye degradation tests. The synergistic effects of the g-C3N4@ZnO heterojunction, enhanced photocatalytic activity and photocorrosion resistance were proven.
•Stable, uniform, and intimate heterojunctions between g-C3N4 and ZnO were produced via atomic layer deposition of ZnO.•Photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4@ZnO is enhanced up to 5 times compared to bare GCN.•Photocorrosion of ZnO was effectively inhibited by coupling with g-C3N4.