High-Performance Coral Reef-like Carbon Nitrides: Synthesis and Application in Photocatalysis and Heavy Metal Ion Adsorption

J.Z.Y. Tan; N.M. Nursam; F. Xia; M-A Sani; W. Li; X. Wang; R.A. Caruso

doi:10.1021/acsami.6b11427

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High-Performance Coral Reef-like Carbon Nitrides: Synthesis and Application in Photocatalysis and Heavy Metal Ion Adsorption

Journal article

Peer reviewed

High-Performance Coral Reef-like Carbon Nitrides: Synthesis and Application in Photocatalysis and Heavy Metal Ion Adsorption

J.Z.Y. Tan, N.M. Nursam, F. Xia, M-A Sani, W. Li, X. Wang and R.A. Caruso

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, Vol.9(5), pp.4540-4547

2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.6b11427

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Abstract

Synthesis of carbon nitrides (CNx) by refluxing under nitrogen exhibited mixed growth mechanisms of oriented attachment and Ostwald ripening, leading to the formation of coral reef-like microstructures from spherical agglomerates. Some phase transformation from β-phase to α-phase CNx occurred upon refluxing for 1.5 h, producing a biphasic CNx. The N content relative to C was determined from CHN elemental analysis, and the presence of C═N and terminal groups (i.e., COOH and NH2) was consistent with the Fourier transform infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic results. The sample refluxed for 2.0 h (CNx/2.0 h) had the highest surface area of 24.5 m2·g–1 and displayed enhanced adsorption capacities for methylene blue (MB) molecules and heavy metal ions Pb2+ (720 mg·g–1), Cd2+ (480 mg·g–1), and As(V) (220 mg·g–1), which was attributed to the presence of COOH functional groups. CNx samples had a negative surface charge that electrostatically attracted the cationic heavy metal ions as well as MB molecules for subsequent photodecomposition under visible-light illumination. The photocatalytic activity of CNx/2.0 h toward phenol, a common pollutant in aqueous waste, was also demonstrated and a possible photocatalytic route was proposed.

Details

Title: High-Performance Coral Reef-like Carbon Nitrides: Synthesis and Application in Photocatalysis and Heavy Metal Ion Adsorption
Authors/Creators: J.Z.Y. Tan (Author/Creator)
N.M. Nursam (Author/Creator)
F. Xia (Author/Creator)
M-A Sani (Author/Creator)
W. Li (Author/Creator)
X. Wang (Author/Creator)
R.A. Caruso (Author/Creator)
Publication Details: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, Vol.9(5), pp.4540-4547
Publisher: American Chemical Society
Identifiers: 991005542850907891
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Engineering and Information Technology
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 2 Chemistry; 2.74 Photocatalysts; 2.74.5 TiO2 Photocatalysis
Web Of Science research areas: Materials Science, Multidisciplinary; Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
ESI research areas: Materials Science