Synthesis of carbon-doped g-C3N4 composites with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity

Abstract Novel visible-light-active carbon-doped graphitic carbon nitride composites (C/g-C3N4) were prepared by hydrothermal treatment of the mixture of g-C3N4 and glucose solution. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV–vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy (UV–vis), and photocurrent–time measurement (PT). Compared to g-C3N4, the C/g-C3N4 showed enhanced visible-light absorption, adsorptivity and improved photocurrent response. C/g-C3N4 composites also showed enhanced performance for Methylene Blue (MB) photodegradation. The enhanced activity of the C/g-C3N4 composites is attributed to the synergistic effect between the doped carbon and g-C3N4.