Facile synthesis of Y-doped graphitic carbon nitride with enhanced photocatalytic performance

Yttrium-doped graphitic carbon nitride (Y/g-C3N4) catalysts were prepared via a facile pyrolysis method with urea used as a precursor and yttrium nitrate as the Y source. Characterization results show that an appropriate doping ratio of Y can be embedded into in-planes of g-C3N4. The Y/g-C3N4 catalysts are characterized by hierarchical porosity, large specific surface area, and large pore volume. Introduction of Y species effectively extends the spectral response of g-C3N4 from ultraviolet to visible region and decelerates the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes. Because of these properties, the Y/g-C3N4 catalysts show an enhanced photocatalytic performance in rhodamine B degradation under visible light. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.