J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2020, Vol. 41: 117-126.DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2019.09.018

• Research Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Sulfur-doped g-C3N4/rGO porous nanosheets for highly efficient photocatalytic degradation of refractory contaminants

Yanmei Zhenga, Yuanyuan Liua, Xinli Guoa*(), Zhongtao Chena, Weijie Zhanga, Yixuan Wanga, Xuan Tanga, Yao Zhanga, Yuhong Zhaob*()   

  1. aJiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallic Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
    bCollege of Materials Science and Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China
  • Received:2019-06-24 Revised:2019-08-26 Accepted:2019-09-10 Published:2020-03-15 Online:2020-04-10
  • Contact: Guo Xinli,Zhao Yuhong

Abstract:

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4, CN) has attracted increasing interests in the field of photocatalysis due to its high visible-light-response. However, its photocatalytic activity is still lower for degradation of refractory contaminants such as Cr(VI) and Rhodamine B (RhB) etc. Herein, we report a facile method to synthesize a novel sulfur(S)-doped CN/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) porous nanosheet (S-CN/rGO PNs) via a supramolecular self-assembling followed by a solvothermal treatment. The as-prepared porous S-CN/rGO PNs are stable with high specific surface area ~188.5 m2g-1 and exhibit a significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity of ~17-fold and 15-fold higher than that of bulk CN for the degradation of RhB and Cr(VI) under visible light irradiation, respectively. Typically, 50 mL of 15 mg/mL RhB can be degraded within 20 min by 10 mg S-CN/rGO PNs. The mechanism can be explained by the synergistic effect of S doping and porous structure which can effectively reduce the band gap of CN and increase the specific surface area to promote the separation and transfer of photo-generated charge carriers. The results have provided a new way to significantly enhance the photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4 for degradation of refractory contaminants.

Key words: Sulfur-doped g-C3N4/rGO porous nanosheets (S-CN/rGO PNs), Supramolecular self-assembling, Solvothermal treatment, Photocatalytic activity, Refractory contaminants