title: Enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4/TiO2 films.
abstract: Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) using graphitic carbon nitride/titanium dioxide (g-C3N4/TiO2) catalyst films has been demonstrated in this present work. The g-C3N4/TiO2 composites were prepared by directly heating the mixture of melamine and pre-synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles in Ar gas flow. The g-C3N4 contents in the g-C3N4/TiO2 composites were varied as 0, 20, 50 and 70 wt%. It was found that the visible-light-induced photocatalytic degradation of MB was remarkably increased upon coupling TiO2 with g-C3N4 and the best degradation performance of ~70% was obtained from 50 wt% g-C3N4 loading content. Results from UV-vis absorption study, Electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy suggest that the improved photoactivity is due to a decrease in band gap energy, an increased light absorption in visible light region and possibly an enhanced electron-hole separation efficiency as a result of effective interfacial electron transfer between TiO2 and g-C3N4 of the g-C3N4/TiO2 composite film. Based on the obtained results, the possible MB degradation mechanism is ascribed mainly to the generation of active species induced by the photogenerated electrons.
authors.affiliation: Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Program, Graduated School, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
authors.forename: Natkritta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Boonprakob
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
authors.forename: Natda
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wetchakun
authors.affiliation: Materials Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
authors.forename: Sukon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Phanichphant
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical, Material and Mechatronic, Faculty of Engineering, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Waxler
authors.affiliation: Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, ARC Centre of Excellent for Electromaterials Science, Australian Institute of Innovative Materials, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sherrell
authors.affiliation: Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, ARC Centre of Excellent for Electromaterials Science, Australian Institute of Innovative Materials, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nattestad
authors.affiliation: Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, ARC Centre of Excellent for Electromaterials Science, Australian Institute of Innovative Materials, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand. Electronic address: binceesungvorn@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Burapat
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Inceesungvorn
keywords: Graphitic carbon nitride; Photocatalysis; Titanium dioxide; Visible light