Enhanced Visible Light Photocatalytic Activity of g-C3N4/SiO2@TiO2 Heterojunction Fabricated by Hydrothermal Synthesis

Abstract

Photocatalysts that can utilize sunlight energy have attracted attention. In this study, g-C3N4 and mesoporous SiO2@TiO2 particles were mixed by hydrothermal synthesis. g-C3N4 was made by a simple method of directly heating melamine. Mesoporous SiO2@TiO2 was prepared using the stover method. These two types of particles were then mixed by hydrothermal synthesis. Hydrothermal synthesis reduced the size of the g-C3N4 particles, and they bound more closely with the TiO2 particles. The degradation of methylene blue dye by visible light was performed to evaluate the organic degradation of the mixed particles. In addition, the mixed particles were formed into a thin film by the spin-coating method. The film's methylene blue degradation performance and the film's power generation performance in a battery were evaluated. The film showed high convenience in the practical application of photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants because it can be easily separated from the treated liquid after organic matter degradation.