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Journal article
Boosting visible-light photocatalytic activity of exfoliated g-C3N4 by a facile strategy coupling ion intercalation and thermal treatment
Emergent Materials
2025
Abstract
Exfoliated La-doped g-C3N4, namely La(x%)-eCN-N (x = 0.1%– 10%), was prepared via in-situ La doping and thermal treatment. The photocatalytic activity of La(x%)-eCN-N was explored through the degradation of methyl orange (MO) under visible light and then optimized by varying the loading of La dopant. The optimised La(1%)-eCN-N displayed an enhanced photocatalytic performance over the bulk and exfoliated g-C3N4, and bulk La-doped g-C3N4. Meanwhile, the use of La(1%)-eCN-N was seen with a high photocatalytic efficiency towards MO removal when compared with La(1%)-eCN-C, La(1%)-eCN-T, and La(1%)-eCN-U, which were prepared via conventional chemical, thermal and ultrasonic exfoliation of the pre-formed bulk La-doped g-C3N4. The observed outstanding photocatalytic activity of La(1%)-eCN-N was explained by several favourable features. In particular, the thin nanosheets would permit swift migration and effective separation of photogenerated charge carriers. The nitrogen adsorption–desorption analysis revealed an increased surface area and porosity, which might expose more active sites on the photocatalyst surface to adsorption and subsequent photocatalytic removal of MO molecules. Moreover, La(1%)-eCN-N was proven with improved visible light absorption, enhanced charge carrier separation and reduced transfer resistance. Its activity, along with the crystal and chemical characteristics, was largely retained after five cycles of photocatalytic reaction, affirming its good reusability and stability for potential practical application. The key reactive oxidising species involved in the photocatalytic removal of MO using La(1%)-eCN-N was experimentally determined to be the superoxide radical.
Details
- Title
- Boosting visible-light photocatalytic activity of exfoliated g-C3N4 by a facile strategy coupling ion intercalation and thermal treatment
- Authors/Creators
- Kingsley I. John (Author)Touma B Issa (Author) - Murdoch University, School of Engineering and EnergyAleks Nikoloski (Author) - Murdoch University, Centre for Water, Energy and WasteGoen Ho (Author) - Murdoch University, School of Engineering and EnergyDan Li (Author)
- Publication Details
- Emergent Materials
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Number of pages
- 21
- Identifiers
- 991005796172607891
- Copyright
- © The Author(s) 2025
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Engineering and Energy; Centre for Water, Energy and Waste
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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