Synthesis of core-shell ZnO/oxygen doped g-C3N4 visible light driven photocatalyst via hydrothermal method

Core-shell ZnO/oxygen-doped g-C3N4 nanocomposite was prepared via hydrothermal method with the addition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and its visible light photocatalytic performance was investigated. In the process of hydrothermal reaction, g-C3N4 nanosheets were oxidized by hydrogen peroxide and then dehydration reaction occurred between C-OH groups to form the C-O-C groups, resulting in a relatively stable oxygen doped g-C3N4 nanosheets wrapped on the surface of ZnO nanoparticles. The photocatalytic performance of ZnO/oxygen-doped g-C3N4 sample showed significant photocatalytic activity, higher than ZnO, g-C3N4 nanosheets and ZnO/g-C3N4 samples. The PL spectra indicated that the stable core-shell heterojunction of ZnO/oxygen-doped g-C3N4 composite could block the recombination rate of electron-hole pairs effectively and remarkably enhanced photocatalytic activity. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier B.V.