N<sub>3C</sub>-Defect-Tuned g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> Photocatalysts: Structural Optimization and Enhanced Tetracycline Degradation Performance
The introduction of nitrogen defects in graphitic carbon nitride (g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>) has the important effect of improving its photocatalytic performance. This study employs a simple and environmentally friendly one-step pyrolysis method, successfully preparing g-C...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Nanomaterials |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/6/466 |
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| Summary: | The introduction of nitrogen defects in graphitic carbon nitride (g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>) has the important effect of improving its photocatalytic performance. This study employs a simple and environmentally friendly one-step pyrolysis method, successfully preparing g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> materials with adjustable N<sub>3C</sub> defect concentrations through the calcination of a urea and ammonium acetate mixture. By introducing N<sub>3C</sub> defects and adjusting the band structure, the conduction band of the g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> was shifted downward by 0.12 V, overcoming the traditional application limitations of N<sub>3C</sub> defects and enabling an innovative transition from enhanced oxidation to enhanced reduction capabilities. This transition significantly enhanced the adsorption and activation of O<sub>2</sub>. Characterization results showed that the introduction of N<sub>3C</sub> defects increased the specific surface area from 44.07 m<sup>2</sup>/g to 87.08 m<sup>2</sup>/g, enriching reactive sites, while narrowing the bandgap to 2.41 eV enhanced visible light absorption capacity. The g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> with N<sub>3C</sub> defects showed significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity, achieving peak performance of 54.8% for tetracycline (TC), approximately 1.5 times that of the original g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>, with only a 5.4% (49.4%) decrease in photocatalytic efficiency after four cycles of testing. This study demonstrates that the introduction of N<sub>3C</sub> defects significantly enhances the photocatalytic performance of g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>, expanding its potential applications in environmental remediation. |
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| ISSN: | 2079-4991 |