Superior photocatalytic degradation performance for gaseous toluene by 3D g-C3N4-reduced graphene oxide gels

Zenghui Gou,Xiaolong Li,Zhongao Mai,Shan Li,Yuhao Yang,Chan Lu

doi:10.1515/gps-2022-0019

Zenghui Gou, Xiaolong Li + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1515/gps-2022-0019

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Abstract

Abstract Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are major gaseous pollutants and one of the main causes of environmental problem, which can be extremely harmful to human health. Previous research has shown that photocatalytic oxidation is regarded as a promising technology to remove VOCs. However, for the time being, the photocatalytic performance in the field of removing VOCs by multiple reported photocatalysts cannot meet the demand of the practice. In this study, we have successfully synthesized a series of 3D gel composites with g-C3N4 (GC) and graphite oxide as precursors by a simple hydrothermal and freeze-drying method, which shows good photocatalytic degradation performance for gas toluene as model VOCs. The highest photocatalytic degradation ratio for gaseous toluene is about 86% in 180 min, which is about 3 times that of pure GC. The reason for the results is due to the strong adsorption capacity and very fast electrical conductivity of three dimensional (3D) reduced graphene oxide (RGO). This study implies that the 3D GC-RGO gels have potential usefulness for removing VOCs to meet the demand of the practice.

Highlights

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are major gaseous pollutants and one of the main causes of environmental problem, which can be extremely harmful to human health
The C0 represented the initial concentration of C7H8 when pollutants were added in the reactor at 0 min, and the C was mass ratio of GC to 3D reduced graphene oxide (RGO), the result is more likely to pristine GC. These results indicate that the composites of GC and 3D RGO can enhance the light absorption of pristine GC, which could accelerate the generation of electron-hole pairs, thereby improve the photocatalytic activity of GC
The 3D GC-RGO nanocomposites show good photocatalytic degradation performance for C7H8 compared to pure GC

Summary

Introduction

Abstract: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are major gaseous pollutants and one of the main causes of environmental problem, which can be extremely harmful to human health. Previous research has shown that photocatalytic oxidation is regarded as a promising technology to remove VOCs. for the time being, the photocatalytic performance in the field of removing VOCs by multiple reported photocatalysts cannot meet the demand of the practice. We have successfully synthesized a series of 3D gel composites with g-C3N4 (GC) and graphite oxide as precursors by a simple hydrothermal and freeze-drying method, which shows good photocatalytic degradation performance for gas toluene as model VOCs. The highest photocatalytic degradation ratio for gaseous toluene is about 86% in 180 min, which is about 3 times that of pure GC. This study implies that the 3D GC-RGO gels have potential usefulness for removing VOCs to meet the demand of the practice

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Results

Conclusion