Fabrication of a Nanosized g-C₃N₄-Loaded Cellulose Microfiber Bundle to Induce Highly Efficient Water Treatment via Photodegradation 

Abstract

Graphite carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) with a suitable structure and strong amine activity is designed and prepared to serve as a hydrogen bond donor for the microfibrilization of corncob cellulose to form a cellulose microfiber (CMF) bundle. Simultaneously, well-dispersed nanosized g-C 3 N 4 is loaded into the bundle to form a photocatalyst for efficient photodegradation of rhodamine B (Rh B) in water. Under the optimal preparation conditions at 165 °C, 10 min, and 0.08 mol/L H 2 SO 4 , the yield of g-C 3 N 4 -functionalized cellulose microfibers (CMF-g-C 3 N 4 ) reaches to the highest over 70%. The catalytic rate of CMF-g-C 3 N 4 is 3.3 times larger than that of pure g-C 3 N 4 . The degradation rate of Rh B is maintained at over 90% in 10 cycles of photocatalytic degradation. The obtained CMF-g-C 3 N 4 also has good thermal stability and mechanical properties. This research suggests a particularly simple way to transform cellulose into a highly efficient photocatalyst for water treatment.

CAZ Composite Photocatalysts for H2 Production and Degradation under Visible Light

“…g-C 3 N 4 has several advantages, such as stability, nontoxicity, and easy preparation. , g-C 3 N 4 was discovered as a photocatalyst to product H 2 by visible-light from water splitting in 2009 . In addition, g-C 3 N 4 can also degrade organic pollutants . However, the poor photocatalytic performance of g-C 3 N 4 is attributed to the rapid recombination of carriers and the limited active sites. , Modifying g-C 3 N 4 with other semiconductors can overcome its natural drawbacks.…”

Optimal Structure and Photocatalytic Performance of C3N4@TiO2 Composite by Controlling the Molar Ratio of Components

“…This technology is highly regarded due to its utilization of clean energy, low energy consumption, favorable reaction conditions, absence of secondary pollution, ease of operation, etc. Consequently, it has become a key focus in research related to environmental governance and energy regeneration. − …”