Rapid preparation of g-C3N4/Bi2O2CO3 composites and their enhanced photocatalytic performance

A stoichiometric amount of as-prepared Bi2O2CO3 and g-C3N4 was mixed, ground and heated by a microwave to form g-C3N4/Bi2O2CO3 composites which were used for the photodegradation of rhodamine B (RhB), methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) under visible radiation. Different weight contents of g-C3N4 loaded on Bi2O2CO3 sample played the role in the photocatalysis of organic dyes. Phase, morphology, elemental oxidation state and optical properties of the samples were investigated by different techniques. The g-C3N4/Bi2O2CO3 composites show photodegradation of the dyes higher than those of pure Bi2O2CO3 and g-C3N4 under visible radiation due to the effective separation of charge carriers and enhanced adsorption of visible light. Active radicals used for photodegradation of the dyes were investigated by using different scavengers. A photocatalytic mechanism is also proposed according to the experimental results.

Automated summary

In this study, g-C3N4/Bi2O2CO3 composite materials were prepared for the visible light photodegradation of rhodamine B, methylene blue, and methyl orange. The weight content of g-C3N4 loaded on the samples significantly influenced the photocatalytic performance, and the properties and mechanism of the samples were investigated to reveal the details of the photocatalytic process.