Excellent Photocatalytic Performance Research Articles

Design of magnetically separable double Z-scheme Ag3PO4/Fe3O4/MoS2 heterojunction with enhanced photocatalytic degradation of antibiotics under visible light irradiation

Photocatalysis is a promising technology in treating antibiotic wastewater. However, the rapid recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs and the loss of photocatalysts make its practical application challenging. To address these issues, a double Z-scheme heterojunction of magnetically separable Ag3PO4/Fe3O4/MoS2 photocatalyst is designed and applied for the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH). The degradation efficiency of TCH by Ag3PO4/Fe3O4/MoS2 can achieve 99.0 % within 7.5 min under visible light irradiation, which is still above 91.3 % after 7 cycles. The excellent photocatalytic performance is attributed to the enhanced carrier life by constructing the double Z-scheme heterostructure in Ag3PO4/Fe3O4/MoS2. Mechanistic study indicates that •O2−, •OH, and h+ radicals are generated during the photocatalytic degradation. Combining experimental and theoretical calculations, two main degradation pathways are proposed, and the toxicity of the degradation system is significantly reduced. This study provides fresh insights into the photocatalytic degradation of refractory antibiotics by constructing magnetically separable Ag3PO4/Fe3O4/MoS2 heterojunction.

Sunflower-inspired hydrogel evaporator with mutual reinforcement of evaporation and photodegradation for integrated water management

Solar interface photothermal evaporation is a promising strategy to ensure affordable water production. However, obtaining freshwater from wastewater containing highly concentrated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is still a high hanker. Here, a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based hydrogel evaporator was developed to mutually reinforce photothermal evaporation and photocatalytic degradation. The vertical structure promoted the rapid transfer of water molecules between the microchannels. Moreover, the solar absorption efficiency can be improved through multiple reflections. Furthermore, introducing polypyrrole (PPy) and MXene@TiO2@g-C3N4 (MTG) heterojunction can not only regulate the interaction force between the polymer network and water molecules to reduce the evaporation enthalpy, but also endow the PVA/PPy@MTG hydrogel with excellent photocatalytic degradation performance. Besides, the first principles simulation indicated that this hydrogel displayed higher binding energy for contaminants than water molecules. Therefore, it can achieve an evaporation rate of ∼3.0 kg m−2 h−1 and energy efficiency of ∼97.2 % under 1-sun, higher than the structure-disordered PVA/PPy@MTG hydrogel. In addition, it can degrade different complex components, especially for highly concentrated VOCs (100 ppm) with an efficiency of >94.2 %, exceeding most of the reported integrated evaporators. This work will pave a potential pathway to design novel evaporation for sustainable water remediation.

Nano core-shell Mn0.5Cd0.5S@ copper phthalocyanine heterojunction structured with high hydrogen production efficiency

The core-shell structure photocatalysts have attracted extensive attention in photocatalysis due to large contact area, multiple reaction sites and high photocatalytic performance. Herein, a series of Mn0.5Cd0.5S@CuPc nano core-shell composites photocatalyst were successfully synthesized by facile solution method. The results showed that the as-prepared Mn0.5Cd0.5S photocatalyst hydrogen evolution was only 0.40 mmol/g·h, while Mn0.5Cd0.5S@CuPc composites show strong light absorption from 600 nm to 800 nm and high catalytic performance compared with pure Mn0.5Cd0.5S. Notably, the hydrogen evolution of Mn0.5Cd0.5S @CuPc-5% reached up to 2.14 mmol/(g·h), representing a remarkable 5.35 times improvement compared to the pure Mn0.5Cd0.5S when the optimal loading capacity of CuPc was set at 5%. The Mn0.5Cd0.5S@CuPc-5% exhibits excellent photocatalytic performance can be attributed to the CuPc forms a uniform molecular film on the surface of Mn0.5Cd0.5S, and the close contact between Mn0.5Cd0.5S and CuPc which can effectively promote the transfer and separation of photo-generated carriers. Moreover, the 5% Mn0.5Cd0.5S@CuPc nano core-shell composites have excellent stability, photocatalyst hydrogen activity reduce was approximately 20.1% after four runs for 12 h. This nano core-shell structure photocatalyst research offers a new strategy for constructing organic-inorganic nanocomposite photocatalysts.

MOF-derived CoFe2O4/FeS2 Z-type heterojunctions for efficient degradation of tetracycline by visible-light activation of persulfate

CoFe2O4 was successfully prepared by calcination of bimetallic MOF precursors, and CoFe2O4/FeS2 nanocomposites were prepared by compounding it with FeS2. The catalysts were characterized for their photocatalytic ability using tetracycline (TC) as a target contaminant. The high adsorption due to the wide specific surface area of MOF-derived CoFe2O4/FeS2 led to its excellent photocatalytic performance. Furthermore, the optimum dosages of catalyst and persulfate in the M-CFO/FeS2/Na2S2O8/Vis system were determined. The variation of catalytic performance as a function of pH was also investigated. The degradation mechanism studies assisted by ESR technique and heterojunction structure analysis confirmed the Z-type heterojunction formation and generation of sulfate as well as superoxide free radicals, which played the main species responsible of TC degradation.

Construction of S-scheme cyano-modified g-C3N4/TiO2 film with boosted charge transfer and highly hydrophilic surface for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of norfloxacin

Developing highly efficient and recyclable photocatalysts has been regarded as an attractive strategy to solve antibiotic contaminants. Herein, we designed and fabricated Cy-C3N4/TiO2 S-scheme heterojunction film with boosted charge transfer and a highly hydrophilic surface. The as-prepared heterojunction exhibited outstanding removal efficiency on tetracyclines and fluoroquinolone antibiotics (more than 80 % within 90 min). The removal rate of 300-Cy-C3N4/TiO2 on norfloxacin (NOR) was 2.12, and 1.59 times higher than that of pristine TiO2, C3N4/TiO2, respectively. The excellent photocatalytic performance of 300-Cy-C3N4/TiO2 was attributed to the highly hydrophilic surface and effective transfer and separation of carriers. Moreover, the NOR degradation pathways were proposed based on the results of density functional theory (DFT), and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The toxicity assessment indicated the toxicity of intermediates can be remarkably alleviated. The DFT calculation and selective photo-deposition experiment demonstrated that an internal electric field was formed at the heterojunction interface, and the charge carriers migrated between Cy-C3N4 and TiO2 following an S-scheme transfer pathway. This research not only provides a promising method for tracking charge distribution on thin-film heterojunction photocatalysts but also helps us to design high-efficiency, and recyclable heterojunctions to solve antibiotic contaminants.

Synthesis of interfacial electric field-enhanced CdS/CdxZn1-xS/ZnO ternary heterojunction by lye dissolution etching mechanism for photocatalytic H2 production and CO2 reduction

The difficulty in fabricating a multifaceted composite heterojunction system based on CdxZn1-xS limits the enhancement of photocatalytic performance. In the present scrutiny, novel ZnO/CdxZn1-xS/CdS composite heterojunctions are successfully prepared by the alkaline dissolution etching method. The internal electric field at the interface of I-type and Z-scheme heterojunction improved the effective charge separation. The ZC 8 sample exhibits excellent photocatalytic performance and the H2 production efficiency is 15.67 mmol g−1 h−1 with good stability up to 82.9 % in 24-hour cycles. The performance of CH4 and CO capacity in the CO2RR process is 3.47 μmol g−1 h−1 and 23.5 μmol g−1 h−1, respectively. The photogenerated accelerated charge transport is then examined in detail by in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ISXPS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. This work presents a new idea for the synthesis of CdxZn1-xS solid-solution-based materials and provides a solid reference for the detailed mechanism regarding the electric field at the heterojunction interface.

Construction of 2D/2D protonated g-C3N4/BiOBr heterojunction composite with high photocatalytic degradation performance

In this study, protonated g-C3N4 nanosheets (PCNS) were firstly synthesized through the thermal polymerization of melamine, thermal exfoliating of g-C3N4, and the protonating of g-C3N4 nanosheets. Then, 2D/2D g-C3N4/BiOBr heterojunction composites (PCNSB-X, X = 10, 20, 30, 50, 70, representing the mass percent of PCNS in the composites) were constructed by the in-situ growth of BiOBr nanosheets on the surface of PCNS. PCNSB-X composites showed enhanced light absorption, reduced recombination rate of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, higher photocurrent density and decreased impedance. Their photocatalytic activities toward degrading Rhodamine B (RhB) aqueous solution showed a trend of gradually increasing and then decreasing with the increase of g-C3N4 nanosheet dosage. The optimum photocatalytic performance was achieved by PCNSB-50, who (0.05 g) degraded 98.8% of RhB molecules (100 mL, 20 mg/L) after 60 min of visible light irradiation. Its reaction rate constant (k=0.0717 min−1) was 7.03 and 2.82 times that of pure g-C3N4 nanosheets and pure BiOBr nanosheets, respectively. g-C3N4/BiOBr composites also exhibited excellent recyclability and stability for degrading RhB. This work provides a feasible method for synthesizing g-C3N4/BiOBr composites with excellent photocatalytic performance.

Preparation of Novel Layered High Entropy Bismuth-Based Materials and their Photocatalytic Degradation Mechanism.

We prepared BiOCl, BiO(ClBr), BiO(ClBrI), and BiO[ClBrI(CO3)0.5] materials using a simple coprecipitation method. It was found that adjusting the number of anions in the anion layer was conducive to adjusting the band structure of BiOX and could effectively promote the migration and separation of photogenerated carriers, thus improving the photocatalytic activity. We first selected methyl orange (MO) as the study pollutant and compared it with BiOCl, BiO(ClBr), and BiO(ClBrI). The first-order kinetic constants of MO degradation by BiO[ClBrI(CO3)0.5] increased by 90.3, 33.9, and 3.1 times, respectively. The photocatalytic degradation rate of methylene blue by BiO[ClBrI(CO3)0.5] was 89.5%, indicating the excellent photocatalytic performance of BiO[ClBrI(CO3)0.5]. The stability of BiO[ClBrI(CO3)0.5] was demonstrated through cyclic experiments and XRD analysis before and after the reaction. The photocatalytic degradation of MO by BiO[ClBrI(CO3)0.5] showed that h+ and 1O2 were the main active oxidizing species and •O2- was the secondary active substance. Overall, our work provides new ideas for the synthesis and degradation of organic pollutants by using two-dimensional anionic high-entropy materials.

Engineering ZIF-67 loaded nanofibrous membrane with thermal stabilization treatment for efficient photocatalytic CO2 reduction

The photocatalytic Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) membrane addresses challenges faced by MOF powders in practical applications such as aggregation and difficult recovery, but its current application is mainly confined to wastewater treatment. Expanding the application of MOFs membranes to CO2 reduction could unleash their greater potential in energy conversion and storage field. In this study, ZIF-67 was deposited on polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber membranes (NFMs) using an in-situ growth technique, followed by thermal stabilization to produce SZIF-67/PAN NFMs for photocatalytic CO2 reduction. ZIF-67 was uniformly and densely distributed on the NFMs, with a mass loading of up to 8 wt%. The thermal stabilization process significantly enhanced the photothermal conversion capability and solvent resistance of the NFMs, enabling SZIF-67/PAN NFMs to exhibit outstanding photocatalytic activity even under mild environmental conditions, with a remarkable CO generation rate of 39,250 μmol g−1h−1. Furthermore, the performance remained at 70 % even after five consecutive tests. This study presents a novel and effective method for preparing MOF NFMs with excellent photocatalytic CO2 reduction performance, offering valuable insights for advancing the practical application of MOF materials.

Enhanced photocatalytic H2 evolution over conjugated polymer/Au@TiO2 ternary heterojunction under visible light: Enriched photons input from polymers

Exploring efficient and stable TiO2-based photocatalysts for visible-light H2 evolution remains a great challenge. Here, a novel ternary heterojunction (THSO/Au@TiO2) was successfully synthesized by a facile in-situ polymerization strategy, which showed highly enhanced photocatalytic activity towards H2 evolution under visible light. The optimized THSO/Au@TiO2-26 exhibited an excellent photocatalytic performance to H2 evolution (7504 μmol/g/h), which was 16.31, 416.89 and 1.81 times higher than that of THSO, TiO2 and THSO/TiO2 photocatalysts, respectively. This excellent performance should be attributed to the excellent visible light absorption ability of the polymer THSO, and the local surface plasmonic resonance effect of Au nanoparticles (Au NPs), promoting separation and transfer of photo-generated charge carriers. This work presents new insights for the design of efficient and rational TiO2-based photocatalytic systems to enhance photocatalytic performance towards H2 evolution under visible light.

Fc-COOH modified MIL-101(Cr) as enhanced photocatalyst to efficiently degrade tetracycline under visible light

MIL-101(Cr) is an ideal material for wastewater treatment due to its large specific surface area, excellent water stability, and chemical stability. However, its limited light absorption capacity hinders its application. We loaded ferrocene carboxylic acid (Fc-COOH) onto MIL-101(Cr) by a post-synthetic modification method, which resulted in the MOF possessing excellent optical properties while maintaining its original skeleton structure. The MIL-101(Cr)/Fc-COOH (1:2), (abbreviated as CFCC-2) exhibited the best performance, achieving a removal rate of 96% for tetracycline (TC) in just 30 min. This removal rate is significantly higher compared to MIL-101(Cr) and Fc-COOH, which achieved removal rates of only 15% and 21%, respectively. We propose a possible Z-type heterojunction mechanism between MIL-101(Cr) and Fc-COOH to explain the excellent photocatalytic performance of CFCC-2. The intermediates in TC were identified using LC-MS, and the toxicity of these intermediates was predicted and evaluated through the Toxicity Estimation Software Tool (T.E.S.T.). This study provides new insights into the design and fabrication of MIL-101(Cr)-based catalysts as photodegrading organic pollutants.

Enhanced visible‐light‐driven photocatalytic application for water purification and hydrogen evolution by large‐sized nanofilm‐constructed hierarchical porous g‐C3N4/SiO2

AbstractThe large‐sized nanofilm‐constructed hierarchical porous SiO2 (LNCHPS) is successfully prepared by the dual templating approach and subsequently used as the support for g‐C3N4. A series of characterization techniques are conducted to evaluate the structure and property of the as‐prepared materials. The LNCHPS possesses two sets of explicated successive pass‐through macropores (0.5–1.0 µm) with large specific surface area. In addition, the macropore wall is constructed by uniform mesoporous nanofilms with the thickness ranging from 35 to 50 nm. Then, the photocatalytic property is investigated by degradations towards Rhodamine B (RhB) under simulated sunlight, in which experiments have been performed through controlling the g‐C3N4 loading contents, solution pH values, and photocatalyst dosages. The apparent rate constant of g‐C3N4/LNCHPS could reach 0.03 min−1 under optimum conditions, showing 6.0 times that of the bulk g‐C3N4. In addition, g‐C3N4/LNCHPS also exhibits significantly enhanced performance in H2 evolution (39.9 µmol h−1) compared to that of the bulk g‐C3N4. High light absorption and utilization, enhanced adsorption capability and quick electron hole separation can render this fine structure excellent photocatalytic performance. Our work enables a facile route for large‐scale preparation of g‐C3N4/LNCHPS for addressing the wastewater treatment and hydrogen energy production simultaneously.

Constructing molecular junction in covalent organic frameworks for efficient uranium(VI) photoreduction

Constructing heterojunction photocatalysts is widely regarded as an effective strategy to improve photocatalytic reduction efficiency of U(VI) to U(IV). However, the traditional heterojunctions fabricated by the multiphase hybridization generally present inhomogeneous junction distribution and low connectivity, which is not beneficial for the migration of photogenerated charges. Here, Cu-N cluster as oxidative site and Ti-O cluster as reductive site are covalently coupled to fabricate Cu3-Ti6-COF molecular junction. Importantly, the resulting Cu3-Ti6-COF not only possesses high connectivity but also exhibits well-defined crystalline structure and monophasic periodic distribution, thus effectively boosting the directed transport and separation of charge carriers. As a result, the excellent photocatalytic performance is achieved with the U(VI) removal efficiency of up to 94.8 % without any sacrificial reagents. As far as our knowledge, this is the first work about constructing COF molecular junction for photoreduction U(VI), which may simulate the exploration of novel COFs photocatalysts toward photoinduced radionuclide removal.

Synthesis of stannite Cu2CoSnS4 and its use as photocatalyst for degradation of pollutants

We report the synthesis of p-type stannite Cu2CoSnS4 (CCTS) powder by direct fusion, and its use as a photocatalyst for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under solar irradiation. Structural analysis by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy revealed that the prepared powder is polycrystalline and has preferential orientation along the (112) plane, characteristic of the stannite phase. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images show agglomerated nanoparticles. Compositional analysis by energy dispersive spectroscopy shows that the composition of the prepared CCTS powder approaches the theoretical 2:1:1:4 stoichiometry. The oxidation state of the constituent elements in CCTS powder were investigated by X-ray photoelectron microscopy (XPS), which reveals that the valence states of the constituent elements present in the CCTS sample are: Cu+, Co2+, Sn4+and S2−. Optical analysis through diffusion reflectance and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy were used to estimate the bandgap, which was found to be about 1.4 eV. Upon visible light illumination, CCTS powder exhibits an excellent photocatalytic performance. The apparent reaction rate constant k found to be k = 13.10−3 min−1, which suggests that the p-type stannite CCTS powder would be a promising candidate of photocatalyst for the degradation of MB in aqueous solution.

Two-phase interfacial photocatalysis via amphiphilic Bi2WO6 to facilitate synchronous production and spontaneous separation of H2O2 and value-added organics

Photocatalytic synthesis of H2O2 from O2 reduction coupled with selective oxidation of organics into value-added chemicals is highly appealing; however, the troubling separation process presents a technical difficulty when both H2O2 and organic products are obtained in a homogeneous solution. Herein, an amphiphilic Bi2WO6 catalyst was synthesized through a facile solvothermal method based on the synergetic modification with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups, which enables the construction of Pickering emulsion interfacial photocatalysis systems in various organic/water mixtures to facilitate synchronous production and spontaneous separation of H2O2 and value-added organics. The amphiphilic Bi2WO6 catalyst exhibited significantly enhanced photocatalytic performance compared to its oleophilic and hydrophilic counterparts, resulting in remarkable generation rates of H2O2 and benzaldehyde reaching up to 121.53 and 99.25 mmol g−1 h−1, respectively, in a benzyl-alcohol/water biphasic system under simulated sunlight. The excellent photocatalytic performance could be maintained in a long-term reaction process. The photocatalytic mechanism was investigated through various control experiments and detailed characterizations. The interfacial photocatalysis played a crucial role in accelerating the redox reactions, showcasing its favorable applicability in various organic/water biphasic systems. This study provides guidelines for the realization of interfacial photocatalysis assisted by amphiphilic semiconductors, opening up a novel strategy to the simultaneous production of solar fuels and organic chemicals.

Visible light-induced photocatalytic and antibacterial adhesion properties of superhydrophilic TiO2 nanoparticles

Bacterial infections triggered by patient or healthcare worker contact with surfaces are a major cause of medically acquired infections. By controlling the kinetics of tetrabutyl titanate hydrolysis and condensation during the sol–gel process, it is possible to regulate the content of Ti3+ and oxygen vacancies (OVs) in TiO2, and adjust the associated visible light-induced photocatalytic performance and anti-bacterial adhesion properties. The results have shown that the Ti3+ content in TiO2 was 9.87% at the calcination temperature of the reaction system was 300 °C and pH was 1.0, corresponding to optimal photocatalytic and hydrophilic properties. The formation of a hydrated layer on the superhydrophilic surface provided resistance to bacterial adhesion, preventing cross-contamination on high-touch surfaces. The excellent photocatalytic self-cleaning performance and anti-bacterial adhesion properties can be attributed to synergistic effects associated with the high specific surface area of TiO2 nanoparticles, the mesoporous structure, and the presence of Ti3+ and OVs. The formation of superhydrophilic self-cleaning surfaces under visible light can serve as the basis for the development of a new class of anti-bacterial adhesion materials.

Recent advances in ternary Z-scheme photocatalysis on graphitic carbon nitride based photocatalysts.

Due to its excellent photocatalytic performance over the last few years, graphitic-like carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has garnered considerable notice as a photocatalyst. Nevertheless, several limitations, including small surface area, the rates at which photo-generated electrons and holes recombine are swift, and the inefficient separation and transport of photoexcited carriers continue to impede its solar energy utilization. To overcome those limitations in single-component g-C3N4, constructing a heterogeneous photocatalytic system has emerged as an effective way. Among the various studies involving the incorporation of hetero composite materials to design heterojunctions, among the most promising approaches is to assemble a Z-scheme photocatalytic configuration. The Z-scheme configuration is essential because it facilitates efficient photocarrier separation and exhibits superior redox ability in separated electrons and holes. Moreover, ternary composites have demonstrated enhanced photocatalytic activities and reinforced photostability. Ternary Z-scheme heterostructures constructed with g-C3N4 possess all the above-mentioned merits and provide a pioneering strategy for implementing photocatalytic systems for environmental and energy sustainability. A summary of the latest technological advancements toward design and fabrication in ternary all-solid-state Z-scheme (ASSZ) and direct Z-scheme (DZ) photocatalysts built on g-C3N4 is presented in this review. Furthermore, the review also discusses the application of ternary Z-scheme photocatalytic architecture established on g-C3N4.

Preparation and photocatalytic properties of BNMT-BNNS/TiO2 hierarchical heterostructures

A novel one-dimensional boron nitride and titanium oxide hierarchical heterostructures (BNMT-BNNS/TiO2) composite photocatalyst endowed with high specific surface area was synthesized by molten salt assisted annealing and sol-gel method. With the increase of TiO2 concentration, the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of BNMT-BNNS/TiO2 hierarchical heterostructures increased first and then decreases, while the adsorption tended to decrease. When the molar ratio of TiO2 to BNMT-BNNS was 27:50, BNMT-BNNS/TiO2 displayed a higher specific surface area of 79.6770 m2g-1 than that of TiO2 (19.810 m2g-1). The methylene blue photodegradation rate of BNMT-BNNS/TiO2 is 99.62% after 115 min ultraviolet irradiation, show 1.62 times higher than that of the synthesized pure TiO2. The positive synergistic degradation mechanism between the strong adsorption of BNMT-BNNS support and the excellent photocatalysis of TiO2 was also discussed in detail. This work reports the synthesis of BNMT-BNNS/TiO2 photocatalysts with high surface area, excellent photocatalytic performance and reusability. BNMT-BNNS/TiO2 has potential applications in practical environmental purification.

Enhanced synergistic performance of g-C3N4/MoS2 with hollow structure for tetracycline photocatalytic degradation in complex environments: Performance and mechanism

The toxicity of antibiotic and heavy metal combined pollutants is greater than single antibiotic, achieving its synergistic removal is the key. In this work, a novel g-C3N4/MoS2 photocatalyst with hollow structure (CN/MS-V-3) was fabricated by one-step solvothermal method. As expected, CN/MS-V-3 showed an outstanding removal efficiency for tetracycline and Cu2+ of 98.49% and 99.90%, respectively. The excellent photocatalytic degradation performance for tetracycline in compound wastewater mainly ascribed to the enhanced visible-light capture ability by hollow structure of CN/MS-V-3, formation 1O2 and ·OH, and the cycle of Cu2+/Cu+ and Mo2+/Mo4+ induced the fast electrons transport. The contamination of Cu2+ in wastewater can play as an accelerator in the CN/MS-V-3 reaction system to improve the degradation performance of tetracycline. DFT results indicated that CN/MS-V-3 heterojunction was formed by combination of side surface MoS2–V and g-C3N4, and the Cu adsorption onto CN/MS-V-3 showed a potential formation of Cu–N and Cu–S bonds. In addition, the tetracycline degradation pathways and evaluation of toxicity of intermediates were also proposed. This work not only provides a promising technology for antibiotic and heavy metal combined contamination removal, but also a clever use of Cu variable valence to accelerate electron cycling to improve the removal performance of the CN/MS-V-3.

Photocatalytic dye degradation by synergistically Cu LSPR and Schottky barrier enhanced Cu/g[sbnd]C3N4

The issue of water pollution has emerged as a formidable challenge, prompting a pressing need for solutions. The utilization of metal nanoparticles with surface plasmon resonance and semiconductor composite photocatalysts is regarded as a highly effective approach to solve this problem. gC3N4 is an effective catalyst for the degradation of organic pollutants. Its photocatalytic performance could be enhanced by the use of the metal such as Au, Ag, and Cu. However, the Schottky barrier is generally believed to be the reason that Cu can enhances the photocatalytic performance of gC3N4. In fact, the plasmonic of Cu will also have an effect on the photocatalytic effect of gC3N4, like Au and Ag. In this study, it is first proposed that the photocatalytic performance of gC3N4 can be enhanced by combining the plasmonic of Cu and the Schottky barrier. Cug/C3N4 nanocomposites with stable crystal structure, with Cu as the core and gC3N4 as surface coating, were synthesized and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Xray diffractometer (XRD) and ultravioletvisible spectroscopy (UVVis) and Xray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Then, it is optimized that the Cu/gC3N4 composite material which were prepared with 200 nm Cu particles, GSH as the ligand bridge, and a Cu: gC3N4 ratio of 5:1, have the best photocatalytic property, which is 16.7 times of the photocatalytic property of gC3N4. Besides, the transfer efficiency of hot electrons of 33% (from Cu to gC3N4) under the influence of the Schottky barrier (0.58 eV) is calculated theoretically. On this basis, the mechanism of Cu nanoparticles enhancing the photocatalytic performance of gC3N4 was also been proved through the calculation result and transient photocurrent spectroscopy (TPC), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and steadystate transient fluorescence spectroscopy (PL) characterization. The excellent photocatalytic performance of the Cu/gC3N4 composites is due to the simultaneous influence of Schottky barrier and LSPR of Cu.