Effect of morphology on the photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4 photocatalysts under visible-light irradiation

Abstract

Graphite-like carbon nitride (g-C3N4) photocatalysts with different morphologies have been synthesized using melamine as a precursor using a template-free wet chemical method. The as-prepared g-C3N4 nanorods, g-C3N4 microcones and porous g-C3N4 quadruple prisms were characterized by XRD, FESEM, FT-IR and UV–vis absorption spectrophotometer. These nanostructured g-C3N4 photocatalysts show better photocatalytic activity than bulk g-C3N4 under visible light irradiation in view of degrading Rhodamine B (RhB). The porous g-C3N4 quadruple prisms show the highest photocatalytic efficiency. We deduce that the surface area of the catalysts and their adsorption ability of target molecules play important roles in improving the photocatalytic activity of the g-C3N4 photocatalysts.