Microwave-assisted synthesis of hydrangea-like graphitic carbon nitride as an effective photocatalyst in dye degradation and hydrogen generation

Tan, Kok-Hou ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4119-0686, Lin, Chen-Yu and Shih, Yang-hsin 2024. Microwave-assisted synthesis of hydrangea-like graphitic carbon nitride as an effective photocatalyst in dye degradation and hydrogen generation. ACS ES&T Water 4 (12) , 5902–5912. 10.1021/acsestwater.4c00879

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Abstract

Photocatalysis is a process that has been extensively studied for its great potential in environmental remediation and energy production. In this study, a two-step microwave-assisted synthesis approach was employed to prepare graphitic carbon nitrides (GCNs) as an environmentally friendly metal-free photocatalyst. A porous, high surface area, graphitic carbon nitride (C2N3) photocatalyst with unique hydrangea-like morphology (CNUMW) was successfully synthesized with a yield 5 times greater than directly calcined GCN. The enhanced yield was attributed to the formation of polar functional groups containing a biuret and cyanuric acid mixture as the intermediate prior to microwave pretreatment, which effectively reduced the loss of decomposition gases during the thermochemical conversion process. The as-synthesized CNUMW has a smaller band gap, a larger surface area, and a higher light absorption capacity near the Urbach energies, which are responsible for its superior activity in photocatalytic dye degradation (k = 0.216 min–1) compared to non-microwave pretreated counterparts. Scavenging tests revealed that the CNUMW-catalyzed photocatalytic reaction undergoes a superoxide-mediated pathway, which can be increased with the addition of a hole scavenger. The resulting CNUMW can also catalyze hydrogen production at an enhanced rate of 1.93 mmol g–1 h–1. The novel urea-derived flower-like C2N3 demonstrates great potential in simultaneous wastewater treatment and energy production..

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Chemistry Cardiff Catalysis Institute (CCI)
Publisher:	American Chemical Society
ISSN:	2690-0637
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	6 January 2025
Date of Acceptance:	18 November 2024
Last Modified:	07 Jan 2025 10:15
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/174995

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