Facile synthesis of few-layer g-C3N4/ZnO composite photocatalyst for enhancing visible light photocatalytic performance of pollutants removal

The pure ZnO nanoflowers photocatalyst was prepared and simultaneously decocted with few-layer g-C3N4 nanosheets (flg-C3N4). The structure, morphology, optical and electronic properties were also researched detailedly by comprehensive characterization methods. The nanocomposites showed higher photocatalytic activity toward the decomposition of the Methylene Blue molecules under visible light irradiation than the pure ZnO, and the results indicated that the optimal decorating amount of the flg-C3N4 was 30 wt%. In addition, the 30 wt % flg-C3N4/ZnO exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than the pure ZnO and P25 for the decomposition of the 4-chlorphenol molecules under UV light irradiation. The enhancement of photocatalytic property should be due to the effective separation and transfer of photo-generated charges stemming from the well matched band structure between ZnO and flg-C3N4. The superoxide radicals (center dot O-2(-)), holes (h(+)) and hydroxyl radicals (center dot OH) are dominant active groups in the photo-degradation process.