WO3/g-C3N4 synergistic photocatalysts for degradation and H2 production

WO3/g-C3N4 composite samples were prepared using hydrothermal method. The photocatalytic activity was assessed by photocatalytic degradation and H2 production experiments. The experimental findings suggested that WO3/g-C3N4 (1:1) degraded 95 % of the MB in 50 min and produced H2 at a rate of 712.38 mu mol g- 1 h- 1, which was 10 times the H2 production rate of g-C3N4. The improved photodegradation and H2 production properties could be due to the increased specific surface area, improved photogenerated carrier separation efficiency, broadened visible light absorption range, increased photocurrent density, and reduced charge transfer resistance. Meanwhile, the synergistic effect of WO3 and g-C3N4 realizes the bifunctionality of degradation and H2 production. In addition, possible reaction mechanisms of WO3/g-C3N4 composite samples in photodegradation and H2 production were proposed.