Synthesis and characterization of g-C3N4/BiNbO4 composite materials with visible light photocatalytic activity

Novel g-c(3)N(4)/BiNba(4) composite materials were successfully fabricated by a facile chemical impregnation method. The prepared composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), B.E.T. surface area analysis, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-vis-DRS) analysis, photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The photocatalytic ability of the novel photocatalyst was investigated through the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. Experimental results showed that g-C3N4/BiNbO4 displayed excellent photo catalytic activity. The degradation rate of RhB is nearly 100% within 40 min with visible light irradiation. Enhanced photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4/BiNba(4) composite materials was attributed to the formation of the heterojunction between g-C3N4 and BiNbO4, which suppresses the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes. Furthermore, the stability of g-C3N4/BiNbO4 composites for a photocatalytic reaction was also tested by recycling experiments. Therefore, g-C3N4/BiNbO4 can be used as effective visible light photocatalysts. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.