Microwave-synthesis of g-C3N4 nanoribbons assembled seaweed-like architecture with enhanced photocatalytic property

The photocatalytic property of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4, CN) photocatalysts is hindered by its low active sites and low photo-generated electron-hole carriers transport rate. Herein, we report a novel CN nanoribbon (CNNR) assembled seaweed-like architecture by microwave synthesis using the melamine-cyanuric acid supramolecular (MCS) as the precursor. The preparation process is facile, fast (< 30 min.) and green. The as-prepared CNNR is stable with a large specific area and exhibits a decreased bandgap of 2.5 eV as well as 52.2 times higher kinetic constant for Rhodamine B (RhB) degradation than that of bulk CN. The CNNR also shows highly efficient degradation for methylene blue (MB), methyl orange (MO), and tetracycline (TC). The significantly enhanced photocatalytic property of CNNR is mainly attributed to the synergistic effects of superior structure, O doping, and proper N defects. The result has shed a light on realizing the practical application of CN based photocatalysts.