title: Upconversion-agent induced improvement of g-C3N4 photocatalyst under visible light.
abstract: Herein, we report the use of upconversion agents to modify graphite carbon nitride (g-C3N4) by direct thermal condensation of a mixture of ErCl3·6H2O and the supramolecular precursor cyanuric acid-melamine. We show the enhancement of g-C3N4 photoactivity after Er(3+) doping by monitoring the photodegradation of Rhodamine B dye under visible light. The contribution of the upconversion agent is demonstrated by measurements using only a red laser. The Er(3+) doping alters both the electronic and the chemical properties of g-C3N4. The Er(3+) doping reduces emission intensity and lifetime, indicating the formation of new, nonradiative deactivation pathways, probably involving charge-transfer processes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Colloid Chemistry, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces , 14424 Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: Jingsan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Thomas J K
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Brenner
authors.forename: Zupeng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Neher
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Antonietti
authors.forename: Menny
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shalom
keywords: RhB photodegradation; carbon nitride; metal-free photocatalysis; upconversion