g-C3N4 hybridized with AgVO3 nanowires: preparation and its enhanced visible-light-induced photocatalytic activity

Abstract

The g-C₃N₄/AgVO₃ nanowires composite was fabricated and developed into an efficient visible-light-induced photocatalyst for eliminating organic pollutants. The phase compositions, optical properties, and morphologies of the composite photocatalysts were systematically characterized via powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, UV-Vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy, BET measurement, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Compared with single-phase g-C₃N₄ and AgVO₃ nanowires, the g-C₃N₄/AgVO₃ nanowires composite photocatalysts displayed much higher photocatalytic activity for rhodamine B degradation under visible-light irradiation. The optimal mass ratio of g-C₃N₄ to AgVO₃ content for the rhodamine B photodegradation activity of the composite structures was determined. In particular, the photocatalytic activity of the g-C₃N₄/0.2AgVO₃ nanowires composite for the degradation of RhB was almost 3.0 and 3.5 times higher than those of g-C₃N₄ and AgVO₃ nanowires, respectively. The notably increased photocatalytic activity of g-C₃N₄/AgVO₃ could be attributed to the enhanced photoinduced electron–hole separation efficiency in Ag/C₃N₄/AgVO₃.