Construction of g-C₃N₄ and FeWO₄ Z-scheme photocatalyst: effect of contact ways on the photocatalytic performance.

ABSTRACT: Photocatalysis has been regarded as an attractive strategy for the elimination of contaminants, but its performance is usually limited by the fast recombination of photogenerated electron-holes. A heterojunction photocatalyst could achieve the effective separation of electron-holes. However, the electrons migrate to the less negative band while holes move to the less positive band, leading to a weakened redox ability. Z-scheme photocatalysis is a feasible way to realize the efficient separation of photogenerated electron-holes without sacrificing the reductive ability of electrons and oxidative ability of holes. In this work, a new Z-scheme photocatalyst, composed of g-C₃N₄ (photocatalyst I), FeWO₄ (photocatalyst II) and RGO (electron mediator), was fabricated through a facile hydrothermal and mixing method. The effect of contact ways (the electron mediator firstly combined with photocatalyst I or with photocatalyst II) on the Z-scheme photocatalytic performance was investigated. The photocatalytic removal rate of rhodamine B (RhB) was largely enhanced by the construction of a Z-scheme photocatalyst, compared with the g-C₃N₄/FeWO₄ composite without RGO. The contact ways could affect the photocatalytic ability of a Z-scheme photocatalyst. The enhanced photocatalytic performance was attributed to the Z-scheme induced efficient separation of photogenerated charge carriers. Furthermore, remaining holes (on the VB of FeWO₄) or remaining electrons (on the CB of g-C₃N₄) with powerful oxidation or reduction ability would promote the photocatalytic degradation of RhB.

SUBMITTER: Wang C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9080584 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature