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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 69(4)

Self-Generated Macrochannel-Structure TiO2/g-C3N4 with High Photocatalytic Activity

Gaopeng Dai A B C , Tao Wang A , Suqin Liu A B , Ying Liang A and Wen Xu A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Science, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang 441053, China.

B Hubei Key Laboratory of Low Dimensional Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, Xiangyang 441053, China.

C Corresponding author. Email: dgp2000@126.com

Australian Journal of Chemistry 69(4) 478-484 https://doi.org/10.1071/CH15428
Submitted: 16 July 2015  Accepted: 5 October 2015   Published: 10 November 2015

Abstract

TiO2/g-C3N4 composites with macrochannel structure were successfully synthesised without using templates by the simple dropwise addition of tetrabutyl titanate containing graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) to a water-ethanol mixed solution, which was then calcined at 400°C. The as-prepared samples were characterised by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activities of the samples were evaluated by the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange in an aqueous medium under visible-light and simulated sunlight irradiation. The results show that the g-C3N4 content in TiO2/g-C3N4 composites plays an important role in the formation of macrochannels. Only samples containing less than 10 wt-% of g-C3N4 exhibit macrochannel structure. TiO2/g-C3N4 composites with macrochannel structure displayed enhanced photocatalytic activity. G-C3N4 content exhibited an obvious influence on photocatalytic performance, and the optimal loading of g-C3N4 was 10 wt-%. The enhanced photocatalytic activity could be attributed to the synergetic effects of the macrochannel structure, the large specific surface area, and the heterojunction between TiO2 and g-C3N4. The main oxidative species responsible for the photodegradation of pollutants were further confirmed by the trapping experiments.


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