Fabrication of atomic single layer graphitic-C3N4 and its high performance of photocatalytic disinfection under visible light irradiation

• Published in: Applied catalysis. B, Environmental Vol. 152-153; pp. 46 - 50
• Main Authors: Zhao, Huanxin, Yu, Hongtao, Quan, Xie, Chen, Shuo, Zhang, Yaobin, Zhao, Huimin, Wang, Hua
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 25.06.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Catalysis; Chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; g-C3N4; General and physical chemistry; Metal free; Photocatalytic disinfection; Photochemistry; Physical chemistry of induced reactions (with radiations, particles and ultrasonics); Single layer; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; Visible light; g-C3N4; Visible light; Photocatalytic disinfection; Single layer; Metal free; Heterogeneous catalysis; Photocatalysis; g-C; N; Environmental protection
• ISSN: 0926-3373; 1873-3883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2014.01.023

•Atomic single layer g-C3N4 was fabricated by a simple mechanical exfoliation method.•The single layer g-C3N4 exhibited high photocatalytic disinfection performance.•Photocataytic disinfection over a simple metal-free photocatalyst is achieved.•This study will facilitate development of safe and reliable disinfection technology. Photocatalytic disinfection over a high performance metal-free photocatalyst under visible light irradiation was studied. An atomic single layer g-C3N4 (SL g-C3N4) with the thickness of 0.5nm was fabricated by a two-step approach including thermal etching of bulk g-C3N4 into g-C3N4 nanosheets (g-C3N4 NS) and followed by an ultrasonic exfoliation of g-C3N4 NS. The performance of photocatalytic disinfection was investigated by inactivation of Escherichia coli. Under the visible light irradiation, 2×107cfumL−1 of E. coli could be killed completely over the SL g-C3N4 within 4h, whereas only about 3log and 5log of E. coli could be killed on bulk g-C3N4 and g-C3N4 NS under the same condition, respectively. Especially, the direct destruction of the E. coli cell wall was observed by TEM. The enhancement of photocatalytic efficiency of SL g-C3N4 was attributed to the low charge transfer resistance and efficient charge separation which were confirmed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and photo-current measurements. Owing to the excellent performance of SL g-C3N4, a visible light response and environmental friendly photocatalyst for disinfection was achieved.