Understanding Graphitic Carbon Nitride as Photocatalyst a Case Study on Thermal Engineering of Physical and Chemical Features

Abstract

g-C3N4 nanostructures were fabricated by thermal decomposition of urea at different temperatures, obtaining an almost ideal stoichiometry (C/N = 0.72)  at 600°C. Specific surface area, pore volume and size, intralayer distance and speed of radiative recombination of photogenerated charges were proportionally enhanced with the increase of the synthesis temperature. The role played by all the physico-chemical features of the prepared samples in promoting the catalytic degradation of Rhodamine B was systematically investigated, highlighting their synergistic role. Significant differences in dye degradation were recorded when using either UV or solar simulated light, demonstrating that Rhodamine B photosensitization rules the process.

Keywords: g-C3N4, urea thermal decomposition, intralayer distance, photoluminescence lifetime, photocatalysis