Issue 14, 2017

Synthesis and characterization of a core–shell BiVO4@g-C3N4 photo-catalyst with enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation

Abstract

Novel core–shell structured ellipsoid-like BiVO4@g-C3N4 composites, with different amounts of g-C3N4, have been successfully prepared by a simple hydrothermal-chemisorption method. Their performance as photocatalysts was systematically evaluated during RhB degradation under visible light irradiation. The composite with 7 wt% g-C3N4 was found to be 7 times more efficient as a photocatalyst than pristine BiVO4. Its core–shell structure and activity were also found to be highly stable after it was used for 5 times in RhB degradation. The new composites were examined by various characterization techniques. The core–shell structure enhanced the contact area between the BiVO4 core and g-C3N4 nano-sheet shell, which provided more active sites and strengthened the chemical band interaction. The thin g-C3N4 nano-sheets reduced the charge carrier transfer distance, which further suppressed the recombination of the photo-induced electron–hole pairs and therefore enhanced the photocatalytic activity of the composites. A reaction mechanism of the photocatalytic RhB degradation was proposed and discussed in detail.

Graphical abstract: Synthesis and characterization of a core–shell BiVO4@g-C3N4 photo-catalyst with enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
05 dec 2016
Accepted
19 jan 2017
First published
23 jan 2017
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

RSC Adv., 2017,7, 8167-8177

Synthesis and characterization of a core–shell BiVO4@g-C3N4 photo-catalyst with enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation

Z. Zhang, M. Wang, W. Cui and H. Sui, RSC Adv., 2017, 7, 8167 DOI: 10.1039/C6RA27766G

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