The g-C₃N₄ Nanosheets Separated by PS for Photocatalytic Degradation of Dye

E-ISSN： 1661-9897|2017|49|215-224

ISSN： 1662-5250

Source： Journal of Nano Research, Vol.2017, Iss.49, 2017-10, pp. : 215-224

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Abstract

Polymerization of styrene (St) stabilized by graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) nanosheets, containing hydrophobic conjugated structure and hydrophilic oxygen-containing functional groups, is conducted at varying styrene concentration. It is found that the morphology of polystyrene (PS)/g-C₃N₄ nanocomposites tends to transform from g-C₃N₄ nanosheets coated PS nanospheres to g-C₃N₄ nanosheets separated by PS with irregular morphology by further increasing the concentration of St. The strong interaction between PS and g-C₃N₄ nanosheets, suggesting by FT-IR, XRD patterns and UV–vis spectra results, and the amount of St are responsible for the structure and morphology of the final product. The g-C₃N₄ nanosheets separated by PS exhibit the highest photocatalytic efficiencies towards degradation of methylene blue (MB), due to the specific structure and morphology. The PS separates g-C₃N₄ nanosheets, obstructs the aggregates of g-C₃N₄ nanosheets. On the other hand, the PS as a collector gathers the MB, which is benefit for the close contact between g-C₃N₄ nanosheets and MB, achieving the collective effect to greatly increase the photocatalytic efficiency.