Synthesis of a novel CeVO4/graphitic C3N4 composite with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic property

• The CeVO4/g-C3N4 composites were prepared by a facile calcination method.
• CeVO4 adheres on the layered g-C3N4 to form the heterojunction.
• The content of CeVO4 in raw materials is optimized to obtain the S5 composite.
• The S5 composite shows the enhanced photocatalytic activity for methylene blue.
• The S5 composite has larger rate constant than CeVO4 and g-C3N4.

The CeVO4/graphitic C3N4 composites were successfully synthesized by using a calcination method. X-ray diffraction patterns show that the diffraction peaks of both graphitic C3N4 (g-C3N4) and CeVO4 coexist in composites. Transmission electron microscopy analysis shows that the CeVO4 rods and particles are well distributed on g-C3N4 layers and become larger after being calcined. The CeVO4/g-C3N4 composites compared with single-phase g-C3N4 and CeVO4 exhibit much enhanced photocatalytic property in degrading methylene blue pollutant under visible light irradiation, which is mainly attributed to the formation of heterojunction between g-C3N4 and CeVO4. The CeVO4/g-C3N4 materials will have many potential applications in the photodegradation of other pollutants.