Direct electrospinning method for the construction of Z-scheme TiO2/g-C3N4/RGO ternary heterojunction photocatalysts with remarkably ameliorated photocatalytic performance

A series of Z-scheme TiO2/g-C3N4/RGO ternary heterojunction photocatalysts are successfully constructed via a direct electrospinning technique coupled with an annealing process for the first time. They are investigated comprehensively in terms of crystal structure, morphology, composition, specific surface area, photoelectrochemical properties, photodegradation performance, etc. Compared with binary TiO2/g-C3N4 and single-component photocatalysts, ternary heterojunction photocatalysts show the best photodegradation performance for RhB under stimulated sunlight. This can be attributed to the enlarged specific surface area (111.41 m(2)/g), the formation of Z-scheme heterojunction, and the high separation migration efficiency of photoexcited charge carriers. A potential Z-scheme mechanism for ternary heterojunction photocatalysts is proposed to elucidate the remarkably ameliorated photocatalytic performance based on active species trapping experiments, PL detection test of hydroxyl radicals, and photoelectrochemical properties. (C) 2019, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.