Fabrication of a novel Z-scheme 2D/1D g-C3N4/polyaniline decorated on activated carbon with effective visible-light photocatalytic activity

Abstract

In recent years, visible-light driven photocatalysts present a significant role in different photocatalytic performances. Herein, a novel Z-scheme graphitic carbon nitride nanosheet/polyaniline nanowire (2D/1D CN/PAni) nanocomposite decorated on activated carbon (AC) support was synthesized by solution mixing combined with a calcination process for removal of CR dye under LED irradiation. The chemical, nanostructure, surface and optical properties of as-prepared nanocomposites were analyzed by different spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The AC support had a fundamental role in modification of the surface area, preventing the CN/PAni accumulation and improving the separation of CN/PAni from the solution. The results of DRS and PL analyses displayed that the combining of CN nanosheet with PAni nanowire has an efficient role in the optical properties compared to pure CN. The effect of photo-reaction parameters such as CN/PAni loading on AC and CN/PAni/AC dosage on CR removal was examined. The CN/PAni/AC/light system presented effective degradation ability on CR, and the removal efficiency reached 91% after 100 min. The modified photocatalytic activity could be described by transferring photo-generated charges between 2D CN and 1D PAni via the Z-scheme mechanism. Furthermore, the CN/PAni decorated on AC support illustrated good recycling ability.