Anchoring CuO nanospindles on g-C3N4 nanosheets for photocatalytic pollutant degradation and CO2 reduction

Abstract

This work has prepared a series of CuO/g-C 3 N 4 nanocomposites with CuO nanospindles anchoring on g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets by facile ultrasonic treatment and impregnation method. The optimum 15%CuO/g-C 3 N 4 sample exhibited higher efficiency, about 9 times and 20 times than pure g-C 3 N 4 for photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) and CO 2 reduction respectively. Morphology of CuO and composition of CuO/g-C 3 N 4 photocatalysts were fully characterized. The excellent performance of CuO/g-C 3 N 4 nanocomposites is mainly attributed to novel morphology and its pivotal effect on light absorption, dynamics of charge carriers, and regulated band structure. We put forward a new combination method of CuO nanospindles with g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets by simple and green preparation, which may pave the way for the synthesis of CuO/g-C 3 N 4 heterojunctions and its photocatalysis application both in environment and energy. • CuO/g-C 3 N 4 photocatalyst was prepared by ultrasonic treatment and impregnation method. • Special CuO nanospindles were successfully anchored on g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets. • Photocatalytic activity in both pollutant degradation and CO 2 reduction was improved. • Construction of efficient heterojunction between CuO and g-C 3 N 4 is matter to activity.