Synthesis and photocatalytic performance of composite g-C3N4 with functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes

A novel g-C3N4 composite photocatalyst was synthesized by one-step calcination using melamine and different functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) as raw materials. The effect of additives on the photocatalytic performance of the composite g-C3N4 has been investigated. The results showed that the incorporation of functionalized MWCNT led to a porous structure in g-C3N4, increasing the specific surface area and availability of active sites. The addition of hydroxylated/carboxylated MWCNT (HMWCNT/CMWCNT) affected the band structure of g-C3N4 and reduced the band gap. The visible-light photocatalytic degradation efficiency of Rhodamine B (RhB) using g-C3N4 composited with various types and amounts of MWCNT was evaluated. Among them, g-C3N4 with 1 wt% CMWCNT showed the highest photocatalytic degradation efficiency of RhB and still had 92.71% photocatalytic activity after 5 cycles of degradation.

Automated summary

A novel g-C3N4 composite photocatalyst was synthesized by incorporating functionalized MWCNT, which resulted in a porous structure in g-C3N4, increasing its specific surface area and active sites. The addition of hydroxylated/carboxylated MWCNT affected the band structure of g-C3N4 and reduced its band gap. The composite with 1 wt% CMWCNT showed the highest photocatalytic degradation efficiency of Rhodamine B and remained 92.71% photocatalytic activity after 5 cycles of degradation.