Photocatalytic Activity Investigation of α-Zirconium Phosphate Nanoparticles Compositing with C3N4 under Ultraviolet Light.

Abstract

In order to further develop efficient ultraviolet light-driven photocatalysts for environmental application, α-zirconium phosphate (α-ZrP) and carbon nitride (C3N4) were synthesized, respectively. Then, C3N4–ZrP compositing nanomaterials were prepared by compositing α-ZrP nanocrystals and C3N4 with different mass ratios. C3N4–ZrP compositing nanomaterials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results illustrated that α-ZrP and C3N4 were successfully composited, and the polarization of the compositing nanomaterials was reduced compared with raw materials. The photocatalytic performances of C3N4–ZrP compositing nanomaterials with different mass ratios were studied by photodegradation of RhB under ultraviolet irradiation. All of the degradation rates of the C3N4–ZrP compositing nanomaterials system were achieved more than 90% after 18 min. When the mass ratio of C3N4–ZrP compositing nanomaterials is 2:1, the degradation efficiency achieved 99.95%, which is more efficient than other tested mass ratios. The result indicated the possibility of utilizing C3N4–ZrP compositing nanomaterials for environmental pollutants degradation.