Sulfur-Doped g-C₃N₄ with Enhanced Visible-Light Photocatalytic Activity

Abstract:

The S-doped g-C₃N₄ materials were prepared by heating mixtures of urea and thiourea with various weight ratios at 550 °C, and denoted as x:y SCN, where x:y is weight ratios of urea to thiourea. The obtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, diffuse reflectance ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric differential thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectra. The results showed that all the x:y SCN materials exhibit the presence of doping S in the structure of g-C₃N₄ and higher capability in the photodegradation of Rhodamin B in aqueous solution under visible light condition than pure g-C₃N₄. Among the SCN samples, 75:25 SCN performed the highest photocatalytic activity, which is believed the presence of the largest amount of doping S in the matrix of g-C₃N₄, leading to reduction of their bandgap. The reduction of bandgap for S-doped g-C₃N₄ materials compared to pure g-C₃N₄ was proved by theoretical calculation.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 889)
• Pages: 43-50
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.889.43
• Online since: March 2019
• Authors: Tran Doan An, Nguyen Van Phuc, Nguyen Ngoc Tri, Huynh Thi Phu, Nguyen Phi Hung, Vien VO
• Keywords: Photocatalyst, Rhodamine B, Sulfur-Doped Graphitic Carbon Nitride, Thiourea, Urea

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