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Versatile, metal free and temperature-controlled g-C3N4 as a highly efficient and robust photocatalyst for the degradation of organic pollutants

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Abstract

In the present study, we report novel graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanosheets at different calcination temperatures viz 500 °C, 550 °C and 600 °C by the simple hydrothermal synthesis for photocatalytic degradation of organic contaminants. The crystal structure, optical properties, and surface morphology were studied by various tools such as X-ray diffraction, UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analysis. The as-synthesized g-C3N4 nanosheets exhibited a hexagonal phase and had good crystallinity with a crystallite size of ~ 68 nm. The photodegradation efficiency of g-C3N4 nanosheets showed excellent photocatalytic activity towards RhB and CV dye solution, and the dye degraded within 70 and 60 min, respectively. The g-C3N4 @550 °C nanosheets showed superior photocatalytic activity due to the adsorption capability and delayed electron hole recombination rate. In addition, the photocatalytic mechanism and reusability test were also found by trapping experiments.

Graphical abstract

The proposed photogenerated electron–hole separation mechanism of the g-C3N4 photocatalyst.

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Acknowledgements

The authors express their sincere thanks to the College managing board, Principal and Head of the Department, VHNSN College for providing necessary research facilities.

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Correspondence to Swaminathan Karuthapandian.

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Prakash, K., Senthil Kumar, P., Pandiaraj, S. et al. Versatile, metal free and temperature-controlled g-C3N4 as a highly efficient and robust photocatalyst for the degradation of organic pollutants. Res Chem Intermed 45, 1147–1167 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11164-018-3663-y

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