In situ preparation of g-C3N4/polyaniline hybrid composites with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic performance

The graphic carbon nitride/polyaniline (g-C3N4 /PANI) hybrid composites were successfully synthesized by a facile in situ polymerization process under ice water bath. The photo-catalytic activities of the g-C3N4 /PANI composites were evaluated by using oxytetracycline (OTC) as model pollutants. The optimal g-C3N4/PANI composite (5%PANI: the g-C3N4 /PANI hybrid with 5 wt.% of PANI) showed an enhancement degradation rate of 5-fold compared to that of conventional g-C3N4 under simulated-sunlight irradiation. In addition, the 5%PANI demonstrate significantly photocatalytic evolution H-2 rate (163.2 mu mol/(g.hr)) under the visible light irradiation. Furthermore, based on the results of optical performance and electrochemical testing, a possible mechanism was proposed, indicating that the incorporation of PANI into the traditional g-C3N4 can effectively tune the electronic structures, improve the photo-generated electrons-holes separation and enhance extensive absorption of visible light. Such a g-C3N4/PANI hybrid nanocomposites could be envisaged to possess great potentials in practical wastewater treatment and water splitting. (C) 2020 The Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

The g-C3N4/PANI hybrid composites with excellent photocatalytic performance were successfully synthesized and showed significant enhancement in degradation rate and hydrogen evolution rate under simulated sunlight irradiation. The incorporation of PANI into traditional g-C3N4 can effectively tune electronic structures, improve photo-generated electrons-holes separation, and enhance visible light absorption, indicating great potential in practical applications.