Activated Carbon Gcn with Sulphur-Assisted Composites Synthesis for Photocatalytic Activity

Abstract

Developing two-dimensional (2D) layered materials with metal-free composites for photocatalysts has shown significant potential in the environmental remediation field. Synthesis of 2D carbon-based layered structures materials is highly desirable for higher-photocatalytic activities. The primary objective of this study is to accumulate activated carbons with sulphur element (S) for pollutants degradation. We use commercially exhausted urea to make activated carbons and graphitic carbon nitride (GCN) layered structures using the thermal decomposition method. Further, it is modified with sulphur (S) for contaminant degradation. The synthesized material contains activated carbon in a small amount, which does not accumulate with nitrogen to form GCN and cause a higher bandgap energy (3.31 eV - 3.38 eV). However, through S, we have modified the bandgap and reduced it for visible light (2.84 eV - 3.06 eV). The S with activated carbon system enhance the synergetic contribution in degradation. The reaction constant (K) is increased (3.5×10-3 - 4.1×10-2) owing to synergic effect of activated carbon. Most notably, a significant amount of sulphur was accumulated with activated carbon and GCN, which altered the charge transfer route and enhanced optical absorption and higher photocatalytic activity, and was considered a novel approach for environmental remediation.

Keywords: Photo-catalysis, Sulphur Assisted GCN, Nano-Sheets, Degradation, Solar-Energy