Improved visible-light activities of g-C3N4 nanosheets by co-modifying nano-sized SnO2 and Ag for CO2 reduction and 2,4-dichlorophenol degradation

• Published in: Materials research bulletin Vol. 122; p. 110676
• Main Authors: Ali, Wajid, Zhang, Xuliang, Zhang, Xinxin, Ali, Sharafat, Zhao, Lina, Shaheen, Shabana, Jing, Liqiang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-02-2020
• Subjects: 2,4-DCP degradation; Catalytic function; CO2 reduction; g-C3N4 nanosheet; Prolong charge lifetime; 2,4-DCP degradation; Catalytic function; CO2 reduction; Prolong charge lifetime; g-C3N4 nanosheet
• ISSN: 0025-5408; 1873-4227
• DOI: 10.1016/j.materresbull.2019.110676

Visible-light activities of g-C3N4 are improved by the synergistic effect of co-modifying SnO2 to prolong charge lifetime and to Ag to provide catalytic function for CO2 reduction and 2,4-DCP degradation.
[Display omitted]
•Visible-light activities of g-C3N4 are improved by co-modifying SnO2 and Ag for CO2 reduction and 2,4-DCP degradation.•Modified SnO2 provides a platform to accept the photogenerated electrons to prolong charge lifetime of g-C3N4.•Modified Ag provides catalytic function for g-C3N4 to catalyze the photocatalytic reactions.•Synergistic effect of prolonging charge lifetime and providing catalytic function is well responsible for the exceptional photoactivities.•The synergistic effect is also feasible to replace Ag with Au.
Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) usually exhibits weak photocatalytic activity for CO2 reduction and pollutant degradation. Herein, the visible-light activities of g-C3N4 nanosheets are successfully improved by co-modifying SnO2 and Ag, with ∼10-time and ∼8-time improvement respectively for CO2 conversion and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) degradation as compared to the pure g-C3N4. Mainly based on the transient-state surface photovoltage responses, transient-state photoluminescence spectra and electrochemical analyses, it is confirmed that the improved photoactivities are attributed to the synergistic effect of the prolonged charge lifetime and the provided catalytic function by modifying SnO2 and Ag, respectively. In addition, the synergistic effect is also feasible by replacing Ag with Au. This work will provide an effective strategy for designing high-activity g-C3N4 based photocatalysts.