MOF-derived TiO2 modified with g-C3N4 nanosheets for enhanced visible-light photocatalytic performance

In this study, we synthesized MOF-derived TiO2 modified with g-C3N4 nanosheets by using a mechanical agitation method with further heat treatment. The effect of g-C3N4 nanosheet incorporation ratio on the photocatalytic performance of the composites was studied. The physical and optical properties of the as-synthesized specimens were well characterized via multiple analytical techniques. The visible-light photocatalytic performance was evaluated using RhB as a model organic pollutant. Compared with pure TiO2 and g-C3N4, the g-C3N4/TiO2 photocatalysts exhibited superior visible-light photocatalytic activities. The optimized mass fraction of g-C3N4 is 1%, namely the g-C3N4 (1%)/TiO2 specimen, which exhibited the highest photocatalytic performance. Based on the trapped active species, N2 physisorption and photochemical experiments, the enhanced photocatalytic performance was ascribed to the accelerated separation rate of photogenerated charge carriers, the increased specific surface area, and the extended visible-light response range. Our current work demonstrated a potential route to develop high-performance photocatalysts in practical applications.