Synergistic effects of MoO2 nanosheets and graphene-like C3N4 for highly improved visible light photocatalytic activities

• Published in: Applied surface science Vol. 457; pp. 1142 - 1150
• Main Authors: Ji, Haiyan, Fei, Ting, Zhang, Lili, Yan, Jia, Fan, Yamin, Huang, Jihua, Song, Yanhua, Man, Yuhong, Tang, Hua, Xu, Hui, Li, Huaming
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.11.2018
• Subjects: 2D/2D structure; Graphene-like C3N4; MoO2 nanosheets; Rhodamine B; Visible-light-driven; Graphene-like C3N4; MoO2 nanosheets; Rhodamine B; Visible-light-driven; 2D/2D structure
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2018.06.134

The as-obtained MoO2/GL-C3N4 photocatalyst with 2% MoO2 exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity, approximately 4.2 times as high as monomer GL-C3N4. Corresponding to the ESR and trapping experiments results, the possible photocatalytic mechanism confirmed that holes and O2− played important parts during the RhB photo-degradation process. [Display omitted] •MoO2/GL-C3N4 composite was fabricated by facile solvothermal process.•2D/2D heterostructures were constructed for enhancing the photocatalytic activity.•It was the MoN chemical bond that improved the photocatalytic activity. A novel molybdenum dioxide nanosheet/graphene-like carbon nitride (MoO2/GL-C3N4) composite was fabricated by facile solvothermal process. The new-type 2D/2D structured GL-C3N4-based hybrid with compact interfacial contact distinctly showed high and stable performance for the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. Meanwhile, sufficient interfaces, plentiful intrinsic active sites and shortened path of electron transport can be provided, which play a vital role in improving separation efficiency of hole-electron pairs, triggering promotional photocatalytic performance of GL-C3N4. Notably, MoO2/GL-C3N4 composites with 2% MoO2 exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity, approximately 4.2 times as high as monomer GL-C3N4. It was the remarkable synergistic effect of MoN chemical bond between MoO2 nanosheets and GL-C3N4 that highly improved the visible light photocatalytic activity of hybrids for RhB decomposition.