title: Improvement of g-C3N4 photocatalytic properties using the Hummers method.
abstract: In this study, graphitic C3N4 (g-C3N4) with high photocatalytic properties to methylene blue (MB) was synthesized by treating the bulk g-C3N4 using the Hummers method. The bulk g-C3N4 was obtained by calcining dicyandiamide. The g-C3N4 treated by the Hummers method (E-g-C3N4) was characterized and utilized for the photocatalytic removal of MB. The results showed that the Hummers treatment exfoliated the nanosheets bulk g-C3N4 into nanorods and improved the dispersion of E-g-C3N4 in an aqueous solution. It also distinctly enhanced the photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4 to MB, i.e., the removal efficiency increased from 38.45% for the bulk g-C3N4 to 96.61% for the E-g-C3N4.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Superlight Materials & Surface Technology of Ministry of Education, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, PR China. Electronic address: fengjing@hrbeu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Superlight Materials & Surface Technology of Ministry of Education, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, PR China.
authors.forename: Tingting
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Superlight Materials & Surface Technology of Ministry of Education, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, PR China.
authors.forename: Shenna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Superlight Materials & Surface Technology of Ministry of Education, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, PR China.
authors.forename: Qihang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Superlight Materials & Surface Technology of Ministry of Education, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, PR China.
authors.forename: Yueming
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Superlight Materials & Surface Technology of Ministry of Education, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, PR China.
authors.forename: Yanzhuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Superlight Materials & Surface Technology of Ministry of Education, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, PR China. Electronic address: fanzhj666@163.com.
authors.forename: Zhuangjun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Fan
keywords: Exfoliate; Graphitic C(3)N(4); Hummers method; Photocatalysis