The mechanism insight for improved photocatalysis and interfacial charges transfer of surface-dispersed Ag0 modified layered graphite-phase carbon nitride nanosheets

A series of surface-dispersed Ag-0 modified lamellar-graphite-phase carbon nitride nanosheets (Ag/LGCNs) are synthesized by a straightforward method to construct the noble metal/semiconductor heterojunction. The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect results in an optimum degradation rate (K-app) for rhodamine B similar to 5.53 x 10(-2)center dot min(-1) (9 times higher than that of pure LGCNs), and the sample exhibited outstanding stability. The experiments with sacrificial reagents showed that the h(+) and center dot O-2(-) are primary active photocatalytic species in the present samples. The optical and photo-electrochemical studies of the samples, confirm enhanced photo-responsiveness and photogenerated carriers' separation and transport with an appropriate amount of Ag-0. The corresponding mechanism is formulated using photocurrent analysis, impedance analysis, finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulation and density functional theory (DFT). FDTD simulation evidenced an intense electromagnetic field at the Ag/LGCN's interface under visible radiation attributable to the LSPR effect of Ag-0 nanoparticles and an increased field intensity with the size of Ag-0 nanoparticles. The DFT computations show that the difference in Fermi energy level and the work function contributes to an interfacial built-in electric field between Ag-0 nanoparticles and LGCNs. Furthermore, the mechanism for reduced band gap and improved photocatalytic performance for Ag/LGCNs is explained by the energy band studies. (c) 2023 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of The Society of Powder Technology Japan.

Automated summary

A series of Ag-0 modified lamellar-graphite-phase carbon nitride nanosheets (Ag/LGCNs) were synthesized to construct noble metal/semiconductor heterojunction. The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect of Ag-0 nanoparticles resulted in enhanced degradation rate and stability in the presence of rhodamine B. Photocurrent analysis, impedance analysis, FDTD simulation, and DFT were used to formulate the corresponding mechanism, which explained the enhanced photo-responsiveness and photocatalytic performance of Ag/LGCNs.