Visible light-driven ZnO/g-C3N4/carbon xerogel ternary photocatalyst with enhanced activity for 4-chlorophenol degradation

Author(s)

Martins de Sousa, Juliana Giancoli ^[1] ; Chicuta da Silva, Thiago Vieira ^[1] ; de Moraes, Nicolas Perciani ^[1] ; Caetano Pinto da Silva, Maria Lucia ^[1] ; Rocha, Robson da Silva ^[1] ; Landers, Richard ^[2] ; Rodrigues, Liana Alvares ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Escola Engn Lorena EEL USP, Estr Municipal Campinho S-N, BR-12602810 Lorena, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Fis Gleb Wataghin, 500 Ave Albert Einstein, BR-13083852 Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Materials Chemistry and Physics; v. 256, DEC 1 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

This work aims to synthesize visible light-driven photocatalysts based on zinc oxide, polymeric graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) and carbon xerogel. The addition of g-C3N4 and carbon xerogel to the zinc oxide is expected to hinder electron-vacancy recombination, increase specific surface area and reduce bandgap energy. The Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry confirm the presence of the wurtzite phase of zinc oxide in the materials. Furthermore, the X-ray diffractometry results show that C and N were likely incorporated into the structure of the zinc oxide in the ternary and binary materials, due to the distortion observed in the crystal lattice of the composites. The XPS analysis corroborates the presence of the g-C3N4 in the composite developed, as well as the incorporation of the carbon xerogel into the wurtzite structure. The addition of g-C3N4 and carbon xerogel resulted in significant changes on the morphology of the prepared materials, causing an increase in surface area and textural modification. The optimized ternary composite, which contains 0.25% of g-C3N4 (% w/w), has the highest photocatalytic response among all materials tested, obtaining 92% of 4-chlorophenol degradation under solar radiation and 72% under visible radiation, after 5 h. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of the ternary material can be linked to a superior charge mobility and higher visible light response, as shown by chronoamperometry tests and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/02762-5 - Development of technologies to prevent pollution: degradation and monitoring online of antibiotics in sewage
• Grantee: Robson da Silva Rocha
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/10118-0 - Study and application of electrochemical technology for the analysis and degradation of endocrine interferents: materials, sensors, processes and scientific dissemination
• Grantee: Marcos Roberto de Vasconcelos Lanza
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/10492-1 - Photocatalytic evaluation of heterojunctions semiconductor/ZnO/carbon xerogel in the photodegradation of 4-chlorophenol in both fluidized bed and batch reactors
• Grantee: Liana Alvares Rodrigues
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/16360-0 - Development of ZnO/Bi2O3/Carbon xerogel ternary composites as photocatalysts for the degradation of persistent organic pollutants
• Grantee: Nicolas Perciani de Moraes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 18/12035-7 - Mechanical and antimicrobial properties of Ag/PMMA nanocomposite
• Grantee: Gilmar Patrocínio Thim
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants