Synthesis of a novel CeVO4/graphitic C3N4 composite with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic property

Abstract The CeVO 4 /graphitic C 3 N 4 composites were successfully synthesized by using a calcination method. X-ray diffraction patterns show that the diffraction peaks of both graphitic C 3 N 4 (g-C 3 N 4 ) and CeVO 4 coexist in composites. Transmission electron microscopy analysis shows that the CeVO 4 rods and particles are well distributed on g-C 3 N 4 layers and become larger after being calcined. The CeVO 4 /g-C 3 N 4 composites compared with single-phase g-C 3 N 4 and CeVO 4 exhibit much enhanced photocatalytic property in degrading methylene blue pollutant under visible light irradiation, which is mainly attributed to the formation of heterojunction between g-C 3 N 4 and CeVO 4 . The CeVO 4 /g-C 3 N 4 materials will have many potential applications in the photodegradation of other pollutants.