Amount Of g-C3N4 Research Articles

Highly Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production Performance for 2D/0D g-C3N4/Zn0.5Cd0.5S with g-C3N4 as a Transport Medium for Photogenerated Charge Carriers

Two-dimensional g-C3N4 nanosheets are synthesized by high-temperature calcination. The prepared g-C3N4 is used further to synthesize a 2D/0D composite series based on g-C3N4/Zn0.5Cd0.5S heterojunction composite with varied amounts of g-C3N4. The structure, microscopic morphology, photoelectric and photocatalytic performance, and the mechanism for enhancement of photocatalytic performance of the samples are studied through various characterization methods. Microstructural studies revealed that 0D Zn0.5Cd0.5S nanoparticles (ca. 3 ∼ 5 nm) were uniformly dispersed over the surface of the g-C3N4 and thus the formation of a heterostructure. The photo-electrochemical test shows that an appropriate amount of g-C3N4 modification (10%-C3N4/Zn0.5Cd0.5S) can effectively improve photogenerated carriers’ separation and transfer efficiency. Besides, the hydrogen production performance of the g-C3N4/Zn0.5Cd0.5S samples first increased and then decreased with the amount of g-C3N4. The photocatalytic activity of the 10%-C3N4/Zn0.5Cd0.5S showed the highest hydrogen production of 3.53 mmol·g−1·h−1, which is 2.8 times than that of pure Zn0.5Cd0.5S (1.26 mmol·g−1·h−1). The enhanced photocatalytic performance is attributed to the introduced g-C3N4 that can supply more activity sites and lead to the formation of the heterojunction across the interface, which effectively improves the separation and migration of photogenerated charges. Designing this kind of sustainable, low cost, and efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production method that avoids the application of precious metals will provide a feasible solution to meet the increasing global energy demand and a sustainable future.

Effect of g-C3N4 amount on green synthesized GdFeO3/g-C3N4 nanocomposites as promising compounds for solid-state hydrogen storage

Hydrogen energy is a key role in novel renewable energy production/consumption technologies. Traditional hydrogen energy systems are suffered from low density, high production cost, low efficiency, and storage complications. With the start of solid-state hydrogen storage technology, many of above deficiencies are fulfilled, however, there are several unknown points, particularly in metal oxides, which need more attention. Hydrogen sorption on the layered materials or inside porous materials is a hopeful key to drawbacks for high-performance hydrogen sorption. Hereupon, layered solids with the merit of hydrogen sorption are introduced, for the first time, including “nanostructured bi-metal oxide (BMO)” and “graphitic carbon nitride (CN)”. Perovskites are ceramic and they are hard materials so they could be a favorable candidate for solid-state hydrogen storage. g-C3N4 has attractive features including high surface area, chemical stability, small band gap, and low-cost synthesis methods but also has great potential as an electrode material for energy storage capacitors. The main motivation for this study comes from the potential applications for perovskite materials and graphitic carbon nitride for the solid-state hydrogen storage method. The Perovskite type GdFeO3 nanostructures (as BMO) synthesized through sol-gel approach in front of natural source of Grape juice as both complexing agent and fuel. The experimental scrutinization ascertains an original fabrication of GdFeO3 (GF) nanostructures in Grape juice at 800 °C, with an approximately uniform nanosized structure of 70 nm on average. The obtained pure GF nanostructures are then utilized for nanocomposite formation based on g-C3N4 (CN) with different amounts. The resulting nanocomposites with the ratio of 1:2 from GF:CN perform a preferable hydrogen sorption capacity, in terms of “maximum discharge capacity of 577 mAhg−1” in 2 M KOH electrolyte. It should be declared that however, the discharge capacity of the nanostructured GF is 188 mAhg−1. It can be emphasized that these GF/CN nanocomposites can be utilized as hopeful hosts in an electrochemical hydrogen storage setup due to the synergic effect of g-C3N4 with essential characteristics in cooperation with BMO nanostructures as acceptable electrocatalysts.

2-D Heterometallic Pb-Iodoargentate Framework [PbAg2I6]n with a Diskoid [Pb(18-crown-6)]2+ Linker and Cocatalyst for Synergistically Enhanced Photocatalytic Properties via g-C3N4 Doping.

The heterometallic Pb-iodoargentate hybrid [Pb(18-crown-6)(PbAg2I6)]n (1; 18-crown-6 = 1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadecane) was prepared via self-assembly of the tetrahedal AgI4 and octahedral PbI6 primary units using crown ether 18-crown-6 as an organic ligand in DMF solvent. The hybrid heterocomposite cocatalyst based on 1 and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was prepared by a facile solvothermal method. In 1, the dimeric units Ag2I6 and Pb2I10 are joined via face sharing, leading to a ternary heterometallic 1-D [PbAg2I62-]n chain containing novel Ag2Pb2I4 cubes. The 1-D chains are joined by the discoid [Pb(18-crown-6)]2+ complex cations, forming the 2-D [Pb(18-crown-6)(PbAg2I6)]n hybrid with the skeleton of [Pb2Ag2I6]n. Compound 1 shows photocatalytic activity in the degradation of MB at room temperature under visible-light irradiation. The photoelectric response measurement showed that the photocurrent of 1 increased from 1.41 to 2.43 μA/cm-2 when g-C3N4 was loaded, indicating that the introduction of a certain amount of g-C3N4 on the surface of 1 improves the separation and migration rate of photoinduced electrons and holes. The 1/g-C3N4 composite showed much higher photocatalytic efficiency in comparison to pristine 1 and g-C3N4 for MB degradation, which suggests the synergistic effect between 1 and g-C3N4 toward visible-light-driven photocatalytic performance. Meanwhile, the 1/g-C3N4 composite exhibited good reusability and stability in the photocatalytic reaction. Free radical quenching experiments showed that the •O2- radical is the main reactive substance over catalyst 1, while h+, •OH, and •O2- species have synergistic effects over the 1/g-C3N4 composite catalyst in the process of photodegradation.

Insights into the photocatalytic ozonation over Ag2O-ZnO@g-C3N4 composite: Cooperative structure, degradation performance, and synergistic mechanisms

In this work, Ag2O and ZnO modified g-C3N4 (Ag2O-ZnO@CNx) catalysts were fabricated by a simple precipitation-reflux method and employed for visible-light-driven photocatalytic ozonation process towards oxalic acid (OA) degradation. A series of characterizations such as XRD, TEM, XPS, UV–vis DRS, PL, Mott-Schottky were conducted to investigate the impact of loading Ag2O-ZnO on the microstructure and catalytic properties of catalysts. It was noteworthy that the mesoporous and backbone structure did not perceptibly change after doping Ag2O-ZnO to g-C3N4. Moreover, the separation of photogenerated e−−h+ pairs, the mobility of e− transfer, and the photocatalytic ozonation performance were improved with the increase in doping amount of g-C3N4. Amongst, the Ag2O-ZnO@CN0.4 achieved 83.43% of OA removal efficiency and the highest k value (0.0311 min−1), showing an excellent synergistic effect (synergy index η = 10.37) in this coupling system. Moreover, the Ag2O-ZnO@CN0.4 exhibited satisfactory reusability for multiple consecutive cycles (≥5). Through the radical scavenger experiments and ESR spectra, the reactive species including h+, e−, O2•−, 1O2 and •OH were verified to play an important role in PhOx system. Accordingly, an empirical kinetic model was established to predict OA concentration with the given operational parameters. The synergistic mechanism of OA degradation in the PhOx system was also proposed. Overall, the results presented a new insight into the application of PhOx process in water treatment.

Facile synthesis of g-C3N4/LDH self-growing nanosheet arrays for enhanced supercapacitor performance

This work reports the high performance of NiCo-layered double hydroxide (NiCo-LDH) self-growing nanosheet arrays decorated with graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) as a potential electrode material for supercapacitor. The composite is prepared by a convenient microwave method and its electrochemical behavior is evaluated. In three electrode system, the graphitic carbon nitride-NiCo-layered double hydroxide (CN-LDH) electrode exhibits high specific capacitance of 1936.36 F g−1 at 1 A g−1. The results show that adding a certain amount of g-C3N4 to LDH can significantly increase the specific capacitance of the electrode. In addition, the electrochemical performances of the electrode are further studied by Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and capacitance contribution fitting, which provides theoretical assistance for the elaborated electrochemical performance and reaction kinetics. Meanwhile, the possible reaction mechanisms are explained from two aspects of current density and scan rate, which revealed a reference idea for the future recombination of g-C3N4. The supercapacitor is assembled to verify the practical application of the CN-LDH electrode, CN-LDH//AC displays the maximum energy density of 50.63 Wh kg−1 at the power density of 0.80 kW kg−1, and successfully lights several LEDs. This confirms that the self-growing nanosheet arrays CN-LDH electrode possesses the potential value for supercapacitor applications.

The significant promotion of g-C3N4 on Pt/CNS catalyst for the electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol

This article reported a series of g–C3N4–CNS (g-C3N4 and carbon nanosheets) composite carriers formed by the hydrothermal method, and then the ethylene glycol reduction method was used to anchor Pt nanoparticles on the g–C3N4–CNS carrier to form the Pt/g–C3N4–CNS catalysts. The electrochemical test for the electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol (MOR) shown that the Pt/20%g–C3N4–CNS catalyst has the best catalytic performance and stability. These Pt/g–C3N4–CNS catalysts were analyzed by TEM, XRD, XPS, and BET characterization. It is discovered that the amount of g-C3N4 greatly influenced the structure and chemical properties of Pt/CNS precursor. As the content of g-C3N4 increases, the content of pyridine nitrogen and pyrrole nitrogen also increases, and N species can enhance the interaction between Pt nanoparticles and CNS, promote Pt dispersion, and increase the specific surface area of the catalyst. Similarly, an excessive addition of g-C3N4 will cause a sharp decline in the conductivity of the catalyst, and then led to the decline of MOR activity.

In Situ Wrapping of Oriented NaNbO3 with Carbon Nitride to Synergistically Enhance Photoelectrical Utilization at NaNbO3/g-C3N4 Heterostructures

Abstract Synergetic effects were observed in an oriented-NaNbO3/g-C3N4 heterostructure system synthesized from in situ pyrolysis of urea with hydrothermally prepared NaNbO3 microcuboids. Chemically wrapping NaNbO3 with an appropriate amount of g-C3N4 forms an efficient heterojunction which separates photoexcited charges, and the internal electric field produced by oriented NaNbO3 grains facilitates their transfer. The mechanism developed here is applicable to enhancing photoelectrical utilization in other perovskite systems.

Enhanced relatively low-temperature carbon monoxide sensing properties of cupric oxide/porous graphitic carbon nitride p–n heterojunction

In the present study, heterojunctions of cupric oxide (CuO)/porous graphite-like carbon nitride (g-C3N4) with different g-C3N4 loading amounts were synthesized and employed as sensitive layers to study gas sensing response towards carbon monoxide (CO). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed the successful formation of the heterojunction through the interaction between Cu and N atoms. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy offered insights into the morphology of these materials. At the low content of g-C3N4, CuO nanoparticles only decorated g-C3N4 nanosheets. Upon increasing the amount of g-C3N4, the morphology was transformed into a flower-like structure with petals of g-C3N4 nanosheets connected well with CuO. Therefore, the porous structure of g-C3N4 nanosheets with a pore size distribution of 2–200 nm and a high specific surface area of 9.1 m2 g−1 is convenient for the growth of CuO nanoparticles. The sensor with an appropriate ratio of g-C3N4 (8%) exhibited good characteristics toward CO, including high response in a wide detection range, a rapid response/recovery process, and good repeatability at a relatively low operating temperature of 150 °C. Anchoring the CuO nanoparticles onto the large surface area of g-C3N4 nanosheets provides sufficient p-n heterojunction and active sites to adsorb reactants which significantly improves the sensing activity. Moreover, the intimate interface between the CuO nanoparticles and g-C3N4 promotes the charge transfer kinetics, which benefits the sensing performance. The present results open an avenue to synthesize various novel metal oxide semiconductor/g-C3N4 heterojunctions with intriguing characteristics for sensing applications.

Rare-Earth Doping Graphitic Carbon Nitride Endows Distinctive Multiple Emissions with Large Stokes Shifts

Rare-Earth Doping Graphitic Carbon Nitride Endows Distinctive Multiple Emissions with Large Stokes Shifts

Preparation of g-C3N4/diatomite composite with improved visible light photocatalytic activity

With the aid of mixing melamine and diatomite in hydrochloric acid aqueous solution, g-C3N4/diatomite (CN/DE-X, X = 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, which represented the mass ratio of melamine to diatomite) composites were synthesized by calcining the mixture at 550℃ for 2 h. Samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption–desorption measurement, ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectrum, and photoluminescence spectrum, etc. Rhodamine B (RhB) was used as trial pollutant to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of CN/DE-X composites. The results reveal that CN/DE-X composite is composed of g-C3N4 and diatomite. The photocatalytic activities of CN/DE-X composites are much better than that of pure g-C3N4 and varied with X. CN/DE-10 composite owns the best photocatalytic property in this study, which prohibited the agglomeration of g-C3N4 and had a specific surface area of 47.03 m2/g. 100 mg CN/DE-10 degraded more than 95% of RhB solution (10 mg/L, 100 mL) in 50 min, and its reaction rate constant was about 6.4 times that of pure g-C3N4. CN/DE-10 presents satisfactory stability and reusability since it degraded 90.01% of RhB molecules after 5 cycles of photocatalytic reaction. The outstanding photocatalytic performance of CN/DE-10 is attributed to the enhanced specific surface area, improved UV–Vis light absorption ability, narrowed band gap, reduced recombination rate of the photo-generated electrons and holes, which are brought about by the evenly anchoring of large amount of g-C3N4 on the surface of diatomite.

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) incorporated TiO2–B nanowires as efficient photoanode material in dye sensitized solar cells

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanosheets laminated TiO2–B nanowire composites (TNW/GCN) were synthesized adopting a simple pyrolysis process (500 °C), using melamine and hydrothermally grown TiO2–B NWs at different weight ratios. The TNW/GCN composites were used as efficient photoanode material in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and the systematic changes in the cell performance were investigated. The experimental results demonstrated a realistic improvement in the overall DSSC efficiency after modification of TiO2–B NWs with g-C3N4. Incorporation of optimum amount of g-C3N4 in the composite material could enhance the short circuit photocurrent density (JSC) as well as open circuit voltage (VOC). The DSSC based on TNW/GCN-10 photoanode enhanced the photocurrent conversion efficiency to 5.12% compared to 3.71% with TNW/GCN-0 photoanode (using pure TiO2–B NWs). This increased cell performance could be attributed to the suppression of recombination of the photogenerated electrons/hole charge pairs initiated by optimum g-C3N4 lamination of TiO2–B NWs photoanodes, in spite of subsequent lowering in the dye loading capacity.

Study on the catalytic activities of g-C3N4@TiO2 hollow microspheres under UV–visible light

TiO2 and g-C3N4 samples were successfully prepared by simple one-step hydrothermal method and calcination method, respectively. Then, g-C3N4@TiO2 hollow microspheres were prepared by simple water bath evaporation method. This work mainly studies the photocatalytic performance of a series of g-C3N4 composite TiO2 hollow microspheres with different contents. In the experiment, the amount of g-C3N4 was adjusted to obtain the highest photocatalytic activity. Therefore, finding the most suitable amount of g-C3N4 has become the main task of this work. By degrading the catalytic effect of Rhodamine B (RhB) solution, the photocatalytic performance of a series of samples was compared. Finally, it was discovered that when the weight ratio of g-C3N4 to TiO2 was 15%, the photocatalytic effect of the sample prepared in this way was the best and the sample was recorded as 15% g-C3N4@TiO2 composite. The heterostructure of TiO2 and g-C3N4 was constructed through the synergistic effect, achieving excellent photocatalytic performance to a certain extent. Therefore, the degradation rate of 15% g-C3N4@TiO2 composite material is 90.8% within 90 min of UV–visible light irradiation. We further used SEM, TEM, XRD, FT-IR spectroscopy, DRS, XPS and other test methods to characterize the composition, morphology and chemical properties of the composite material.

Application of a calcined animal bone to synthesis of graphitic carbon nitride composite

ABSTRACT Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is a polymeric organic semiconductor that has been extensively developed for various applications. In this study, composites of g-C3N4 and calcined animal bone (CAB) were facilely synthesized by calcining a mixture of urea and CAB at different temperatures. The results revealed that the calcination temperature influenced yield, crystallinity, and band gap of g-C3N4. In addition, ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy indicated a shift in absorption edge to the high wavelength side in the presence of CAB, implying that CAB promoted thermal condensation of urea. However, thermogravimetric measurements revealed that g-C3N4 yield decreased as the calcination temperature increased in the presence of CAB. This is because the amount of g-C3N4 was scarce when the mixture was calcined at 823 K. Furthermore, the results of differential thermal analysis indicated that g-C3N4 and its intermediates were oxidatively decomposed by CAB at 823 K.

Incorporation of Cesium Lead Halide Perovskites into g-C3N4 for Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction.

CsPbBr3 perovskite-based composites so far have been synthesized by postdeposition of CsPbBr3 on a parent material. However, in situ construction offers enhanced surface contact, better activity, and improved stability. Instead of applying a typical thermal condensation at highly elevated temperatures, we report for the first time CsPb(BrxCl1–x)3/graphitic-C3N4 (CsPbX3/g-C3N4) composites synthesized by a simple and mild solvothermal route, with enhanced efficacy in visible-light-driven photocatalytic CO2 reduction. The composite exhibited a CO production rate of 28.5 μmol g–1 h–1 at an optimized loading amount of g-C3N4. This rate is about five times those of pure g-C3N4 and CsPbBr3. This work reports a new in situ approach for constructing perovskite-based heterostructure photocatalysts with enhanced light-harvesting ability and improved solar energy conversion efficiency.

Advanced NiMoO4/g-C3N4 Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst for efficient conversion of CO2 to valuable products

Abstract Herein, g-C3N4 and NiMoO4, which are moderate energy band gap semiconductors, have been effectively hybridized to create Z scheme heterojunction for successful visible-light photocatalytic converting CO2 into valuable products including CH4, CO, O2 and HCOOH. Ni(NO3)2·6H2O and (NH4)6Mo7O24·4H2O were used as precursors to synthesize NiMoO4 photocatalyst, which was continuously mixed with melamine before calcinating at 520 °C for 6 h to get NiMoO4/g-C3N4 Z scheme heterojunction. We explored that NiMoO4 intimately contacted with g-C3N4. These band positions of the NiMoO4 were also perfectly matched with those of the g-C3N4. Therefore, these photo-induced e− on conduction band of the NiMoO4 could easily travel to h+ on valence band of the g-C3N4 (recombination); thereby, minimize h+ and e− recombination in each material. Therefore, the NiMoO4/g-C3N4 direct Z-scheme heterojunctions could produce significant available h+ on the valence band of the NiMoO4 and e− on the conduction band of the g-C3N4. These e−/h+ have suitable redox potential to effectively convert CO2. Finally, the optimized g-C3N4 mole ratio for maximum enhancing photocatalytic efficiency of the NiMoO4/g-C3N4 heterojunction was 60%. When the g-C3N4 content increased to 70%, the excess g-C3N4 amount would entirely cover NiMoO4 surface leaded to form dense and closed shell. The formed closed shell decreased contact between NiMoO4 and CO2 as well as the interface charge transfer, which reduced the e− and h+ separation and transfer leading to decrease in photocatalytic conversion efficiency.

Construction of heterojunction g-C3N4/CoAl hydrotalcites for high-efficient Cr(VI) reduction under visible light

The novel composites of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) and CoAl hydrotalcite (LDH) were synthesized using a hydrothermal method, for which photocatalytic reduction performances were evaluated using Cr(VI) as a target pollutant. The results indicated that the incorporation of g-C3N4 to CoAl-LDH could improve Cr(VI) photoreduction activity in connection with the adding amounts of g-C3N4 during the preparation process. The g-C3N4/LDH1.6 prepared in 1.6 g·L−1 g-C3N4 showed the highest Cr(VI) reduction activity, which was 10.1 and 3.6-folds higher than that of pure g-C3N4 and CoAl-LDH under visible-light irradiation, respectively. The enhanced photocatalytic activity benefited from the synergistic effect in the heterojunction electric field on the interface between the g-C3N4 and CoAl-LDH, which accelerated the electron transfer and separation of photogenerated electrons and holes. The results make the heterojunction material a potential candidate for environmental restoration.

G–C3N4– and polyaniline-co-modified TiO2 nanotube arrays for significantly enhanced photocatalytic degradation of tetrabromobisphenol A under visible light

An ordered g–C3N4– and polyaniline-modified titanium oxide nanotube array (g–C3N4– and PANI-co-modified TiO2 NTAs) was successfully synthesized and used as a photocatalyst. Polyaniline (PANI) was coated onto TiO2 NTAs by electrochemical polycondensation, and g-C3N4 was deposited via the soaking adsorption method. The photocatalysts were examined by several technologies. The experiments demonstrated that the amount of g-C3N4 and PANI, as well as the initial pH value, had significant effects on the photocatalytic efficiency. The resulting photocatalysts exhibited high visible light photocatalytic ability for tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) for two reasons. First, PANI expanded the light absorption into the visible region. Second, rapid and efficient separation of photoinduced charges from the photogenerated potential difference were produced at the contact interface of g-C3N4 and PANI-co-modified TiO2 NTAs. The •OH, •O2− and h+ were dominant components for the photocatalytic degradation of TBBPA. In addition, the g-C3N4 and PANI-co-modified TiO2 NTAs have excellent long-term stability.

Synthesis of g-C3N4/BiVO4 and Its Photocatalytic Performance for Hydrogen Production

In this study, ultrasonic hybridization was used to improve the photocatalytic efficiency and stability of the g-C3N4/BiVO4 photocatalyst, which was synthesized using Bi(NO3)3·5H2O and NaVO3 via the hydrothermal method to obtain BiVO4, and further modified by g-C3N4. Moreover, the obtained photocatalyst was studied using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Subsequently, the photocatalytic performance for hydrogen production of the obtained photocatalyst was determined in a photocatalytic reactor under visible light, with methanol as the sacrificial agent and chloroplatinic acid as the promoter. The experimental results showed that the photocatalytic activity of BiVO4 considerably improved under visible light condition when its surface was modified with g-C3N4. When the amount of g-C3N4 was 5% of the amount of BiVO4, the hydrogen production rate was 53.25 μmol/h, which was 77.17 times higher than that of pure BiVO4. This improved performance can be attributed to the larger specific surface area, the better electron transfer efficiency and the electron–hole pair separation efficiency of g-C3N4/BiVO4. A possible mechanism model for the formation of g-C3N4/BiVO4 composite photocatalyst has also been proposed.

Facile Preparation of g-C3N4-WO3 Composite Gas Sensing Materials with Enhanced Gas Sensing Selectivity to Acetone

In this paper, g-C3N4-WO3 composite materials were prepared by hydrothermal processing. The composites were characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and N2 adsorption-desorption, respectively. The gas sensing properties of the composites were investigated. The results indicated that the addition of appropriate amount of g-C3N4 to WO3 could improve the response and selectivity to acetone. The sensor based on 2 wt% g-C3N4-WO3 composite showed the best gas sensing performances. When operating at optimum temperature of 310°C, the responses to 1000 ppm and 0.5 ppm acetone were 58.2 and 1.6, respectively, and the ratio of the S1000 ppm acetone to S1000 ppm ethanol reached 3.7.

Enhancing the Thermal, Mechanical and Swelling Properties of PVA/Starch Nanocomposite Membranes Incorporating g-C3N4

A ground-breaking and soft nanomaterial, namely graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has gained importance as two-dimensional filler in polymeric membranes. In this research, g-C3N4 was synthesized by “thermal oxidation etching process”, employing melamine as a precursor. The porous nanosheets were characterized by SEM, XRD and FTIR. g-C3N4 nanosheets showed remarkable thermal stability up to 620 °C. The PVA starch nanocomposite membranes were fabricated with varying amounts of g-C3N4. Owing to strong interactions between g-C3N4, and polymers, the composite membranes showed exceptional thermal and mechanical stability and resist to degrade in various mediums including water, saline and blood. The hybrid membranes showed remarkable swelling abilities up to 96 h. Moreover, g-C3N4 enhanced the hydrophilicity, consequently, moisture retention capability and water vapor transmission were improved. XRD and SEM results revealed the proper dispersion of g-C3N4 into the polymeric matrix. The results suggested that prepared hybrid PVA/St/g-C3N4 membranes could be used as wound dressings.