Synthesis and characterization of g-C3N4/Cu2O composite catalyst with enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation

• The coupled Cu2O with g-C3N4 of narrow-band-gap semiconductor has been designed.
• g-C3N4/Cu2O is prepared via an alcohol-aqueous based on chemical precipitation method.
• g-C3N4/Cu2O exhibits the enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible-light.
• The enhanced photocatalytic activity is proven by the transient photocurrent test.
• A mechanism for the visible-light-driven photocatalysis of g-C3N4/Cu2O is revealed.

To overcome the drawback of low photocatalytic efficiency brought by electron–hole pairs recombination and narrow photo-response range, a novel g-C3N4/Cu2O composite photocatalyst was designed and prepared successfully. Compared with bare Cu2O and g-C3N4, the g-C3N4/Cu2O composite exhibited significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity for acid orange-II (AO-II) degradation under visible light irradiation. Based on energy band positions, the mechanism of enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity was proposed.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideThe prepared g-C3N4/Cu2O composite exhibited the enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible-light irradiation due to the stronger ability in separation of electron–hole pairs, which was proven by the transient photocurrent measurement.