Effects of K-doping on the microstructure and photocatalytic performance of porous g-C3N4 nanosheets

Abstract

K-doped porous g-C₃N₄ nanosheet (PNCN-K) photocatalysts were successfully prepared using urea, dicyandiamide and potassium bromide as reactants. The effects of K-doping on the microstructure and photocatalytic performance of PNCN were investigated. The results show that K dopants are introduced into the interlayer of g-C₃N₄. The PNCN-K photocatalyst with a suitable K-doping amount exhibits a lower bandgap and improved transfer and separation efficiencies of photogenerated electron–hole pairs. The photodegradation performance of RhB by the PNCN-K photocatalyst is greatly enhanced, which is 2.7 times higher than that of the undoped PNCN photocatalyst. Based on the radical capture experiments, it is confirmed that ·O₂⁻ is the main active species in the photodegradation of RhB by the PNCN-K photocatalyst.