Fullerene modified C3N4 composites with enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation

Abstract

Fullerene modified C₃N₄ (C₆₀/C₃N₄) composites with efficient photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation were fabricated by a simple adsorption approach. The as-prepared C₆₀/C₃N₄ composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-vis diffuse reflectance absorption spectra (DRS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and photoluminescence spectra (PL). The photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) by the C₆₀/C₃N₄ composites was investigated and optimized, suggesting that the optimal amount of C₆₀ in the composites was 1 wt%. The significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity could be attributed to the efficient separation of photogenerated electrons and holes in the C₆₀/C₃N₄ composites. A possible mechanism of C₆₀/C₃N₄ composites as photocatalysts was proposed.