Enhancement of mineralization ability of C3N4via a lower valence position by a tetracyanoquinodimethane organic semiconductor

Abstract

7,7,8,8-Tetracyanoquinodimethane–g-C₃N₄ (TCNQ–g-C₃N₄) organic composite photocatalysts were prepared by a liquid ultrasonic route in water. The phenol mineralization ability of a TCNQ–g-C₃N₄ composite was dramatically enhanced via decreasing the valence position of the composite by adjusting the mass fraction of TCNQ. The transition of photogenerated electrons from the valence band of C₃N₄ to the LUMO of TCNQ was promoted by the charge transfer between C₃N₄ donor and TCNQ acceptor. The separation and immigration efficiency of photoinduced charge carriers was greatly enhanced and the catalytic activity of the TCNQ–g-C₃N₄ composite was increased about 8.4 times for phenol degradation.