Metal-free C₆₀/CNTs/g-C₃N₄ternary heterostructures: synthesis and enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic performance

Abstract

A metal-free C 60 /CNTs/g-C 3 N 4 nanoheterostructure with excellent visible-light photocatalysis for rhodamine B (Rh B) degradation has been reported. Via a convenient low-temperature solution-phase method, g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets can serve as substrate for dispersion of C 60 /CNTs. The loading of C 60 /CNTs onto g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets surfaces significantly enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity of g-C 3 N 4 catalyst, for oxidation of organic pollutant (Rh B, 100%). Excellent photocatalytic properties of C 60 /CNTs/g-C 3 N 4 can be predominantly attributed to the intimate interfacial contact among constructing compounds, increased specific surface area and enhanced light adsorption efficiency resulted from C 60 /CNTs carbon materials. Particularly, the synergistic heterostructure interaction remarkably hinders the electron–hole pairs recombination, giving rise to significantly enhanced photocatalytic performance of C 60 /CNTs/g-C 3 N 4 in comparison with other counterparts.