Synthesis of Rod-Like g-C3N4/ZnS Composites with Superior Photocatalytic Activity for the Degradation of Methyl Orange

A rod-like g-C3N4/ZnS composite was synthesized via a hydrothermal process using g-C3N4, Zn(NO3)(2)6H(2)O, thioglycolic acid, and thioacetamide as precursors under reflux conditions. The obtained products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy (UV), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The amount of g-C3N4 was systematically varied, and it was found that the g-C3N4 content not only plays an important role in the formation of g-C3N4/ZnS rod-like composites but also the improvement of the photocurrent response. The photocatalytic experimental results indicated that the 10 wt.-% g-C3N4/ZnS nanocomposite enhances photocatalytic performance with 93.0% decomposition of methyl orange (MO) after 100 min under simulated sunlight irradiation. This new composite is expected to show considerable potential in the treatment of wastewater containing organic pollutants.