TY - JOUR

T1 - Synthesis of metal-free functionalized g-C3N4 nanosheets for enhanced photocatalytic activity

AU - Bresolin, Bianca Maria

AU - Sgarbossa, Paolo

AU - Bahnemann, Detlef W.

N1 - Funding Information: Maa-javesitekniikan tuki foundation is gratefully acknowledged for its financial support. This research was supported by Saint-Petersburg State University via a research Grant ID 32706707 . We thank the LNQE (Laboratory of Nano and Quantum Engineering, Hannover, Germany) and the Leibniz University for providing technical equipment and technological knowledge. The Department of Industrial Engineering, Padova University , partially financed the project through the ‘Investimento Strategico di Dipartimento-SID’ grant ( Progetto SGAR_SID17_01 ).

PY - 2021/12

Y1 - 2021/12

N2 - A new visible-light active polymeric semiconductor was fabricated covalently functionalizing the g-C3N4 using halogenated phenyl groups. 4-bromobenzonitrile was employed to introduce organic motifs into g-C3N4 networks through a convenient one-pot thermally induced process. The functionalization of the g-C3N4 with the halogenated phenyl group extended the original π-conjugation system, leading to the enhancement of visible-light absorption, and the separation of charge carriers. Introducing the new group, the g-C3N4 pore structure was enriched, resulting in a larger specific surface area and an increase in active sites. The functionalization led to an easier exfoliation of the g-C3N4 framework into thinner layers, enhancing its dispersion ability in the water. Under visible-light irradiation, the as-prepared semiconductor exhibited increased photocatalytic activity to the pristine g-C3N4. The photocatalytic performances were investigated on a simple organic compound, methanol, a model dye, rhodamine B, and an emergent contaminant, 4-nitrophenol. This research provided new insights on metal-free modified g-C3N4 as a visible-light photocatalyst.

AB - A new visible-light active polymeric semiconductor was fabricated covalently functionalizing the g-C3N4 using halogenated phenyl groups. 4-bromobenzonitrile was employed to introduce organic motifs into g-C3N4 networks through a convenient one-pot thermally induced process. The functionalization of the g-C3N4 with the halogenated phenyl group extended the original π-conjugation system, leading to the enhancement of visible-light absorption, and the separation of charge carriers. Introducing the new group, the g-C3N4 pore structure was enriched, resulting in a larger specific surface area and an increase in active sites. The functionalization led to an easier exfoliation of the g-C3N4 framework into thinner layers, enhancing its dispersion ability in the water. Under visible-light irradiation, the as-prepared semiconductor exhibited increased photocatalytic activity to the pristine g-C3N4. The photocatalytic performances were investigated on a simple organic compound, methanol, a model dye, rhodamine B, and an emergent contaminant, 4-nitrophenol. This research provided new insights on metal-free modified g-C3N4 as a visible-light photocatalyst.

KW - co-polymerization

KW - metal-free semiconductor

KW - photocatalysis

KW - visible light

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85115447413&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.jece.2021.106389

DO - 10.1016/j.jece.2021.106389

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85115447413

VL - 9

JO - Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering

JF - Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering

IS - 6

M1 - 106389

ER -