Highly Efficient and Exceptionally Durable Photooxidation Properties on Co3O4/g-C3N4 Surfaces

Abstract

Water pollution is a significant social issue that endangers human health. The technology for the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants in water can directly utilize solar energy and has a promising future. A novel Co3O4/g-C3N4 type-II heterojunction material was prepared by hydrothermal and calcination strategies and used for the economical photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) in water. Benefitting the development of type-II heterojunction structure, the separation and transfer of photogenerated electrons and holes in 5% Co3O4/g-C3N4 photocatalyst was accelerated, leading to a degradation rate 5.8 times higher than that of pure g-C3N4. The radical capturing experiments and ESR spectra indicated that the main active species are •O2− and h+. This work will provide possible routes for exploring catalysts with potential for photocatalytic applications.

Advanced Photocatalytic Materials for Environmental and Energy Applications

“…The photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants in water is an effective method to deal with water pollution. Dai et al [9] prepared a novel Co 3 O 4 /g-C 3 N 4 composite photocatalyst and used it for the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B in water. They found that the type II heterojunction was formed between the Co 3 O 4 and g-C 3 N 4 , and that the type II heterojunction significantly enhanced the transfer and separation of photogenerated electrons and holes in the Co 3 O 4 /g-C 3 N 4 photocatalyst.…”