Phthaloyanine-sensitized CNS nanocomposites with efficient photocatalytic activity under visible-light irradiation

Phthalocyanine sensitized sulfur-doped graphitic carbon nitride (CNS) nanocomposite photocatalysts were fabricated via a facile impregnation method. The as-prepared phthalocyanine/CNS nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD). The samples showed well-defined hierarchical nanostructures, and their absorption was extended to the near-infrared region. The photocatalytic activities of the phthalocyanine/CNS composites were evaluated by the decomposition of methylene blue (MB) under visible-light irradiation. It was found that the phthalocyanine/CNS composites showed enhanced visible-light photocatalytic performances compared to pure dyes and CNS.