Direct blending-drying method of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) with copper chloride solution for enhancement of photocatalytic decolorization of methylene blue.

A simple g-C3N4 and CuCl2 composite catalyst (CN@CuCl2) was prepared via direct blending-drying method and compared with ternary heterojunction series catalysts (CN/CuO/Cu2O-x) and g-C3N4 disposed by copper chloride solution (CN/CuCl2). The specific surface area and micropore surface area of g-C3N4 were increased after recombination with copper chloride, and the absorption range and ability of visible light were greatly enhanced, which showed the best photocatalytic activity. The degradation rate constant of high concentration methylene blue was about 2.6 times that of g-C3N4, and the degradation rate reached 59% after 180 min of illumination. This enhanced photocatalytic activity is mainly attributed to the ionic Z-scheme photocatalytic system, which relies on the charge transport of the electron mediator CuCl2 (Cu2+/Cu1+) in the redox reaction to promote the photoexcited e- and h+ separation and migration between g-C3N4 and Cu2O. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]