Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has have been reported with excellent performance as photocatalysts for the elimination of toxic heavy metal and organic compounds from wastewater due to its high activity under visible light irradiation, low energy band gap, and low cost. In this study, g-C3N4 materials were prepared by polymerization of urea, thiourea, and melamine under the same conditions, respectively. The powder samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) in order to investigate the effects of precursors on the photophysical properties of g-C3N4. The photocatalytic performance of the g-C3N4 samples have been demonstrated via hexavalent chromium reduction and rhodamine B degradation under visible light irradiation. The g-C3N4 from urea (CU) represented the highest energy band gaps than g-C3N4 from thiourea (CT), and g-C3N4 from melamine (CM) suggesting that it could be reduced the electron-hole recombination. In the photocatalytic activity experiments, the CU showed the highest performance in hexavalent chromium and rhodamine B removal. The hexavalent chromium reduction and rhodamine B degradation efficiency of the photocatalysts were found to be influenced by the increasing of surface area, increasing of energy band gap and decreasing of electron-hole recombination. The catalytic mechanism, stability and reusability of the catalysts were investigated. The CU can be potential catalysts for removal of organic pollutants and reduction of hexavalent chromium in wastewater.

Effects of precursors on the photocatalytic activities of graphitic carbon nitride in hexavalent chromium reduction and rhodamine B degradation under visible light irradiation

255th National Meeting (2018)

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