Controlled synthesis of g-C3N4@BiPO4 core-shell nanorods via low temperature reassembled strategy

The g-C3N4@BiPO4 nanorod core-shell structure photocatalysts were prepared by a new neutral hydrothermal reaction system combined with low temperature reassembled strategy. The CN precursors were successfully reassembled on the surface of BiPO4 nanorod to form ultrathin g-C3N4 layer (about 1 nm) under low temperature. Due to the formation of the core-shell structure, it can effectively promote the separation of photogenerated charge, thereby greatly improving the photocatalytic activity under UV light irradiation. The photodegradation activity of the phenol by the g-C3N4@BiPO4 nanorod core-shell structure photocatalyst annealing at the optimized conditions exhibits 1.6 times that of pure BiPO4 nanorod. The relationship between core-shell structure and photocatalytic activity under UV light irradiation was profoundly revealed through a comprehensive contrast experiment, and the mechanism of the enhancement activity of core-shell structure photocatalyst was also explored. It was found and detailedly demonstrated that the CN precursors prepared by neutral hydrothermal reaction can be polymerized into graphite-like phase C3N4 on the surface of Bi-based photocatalytic materials via low temperature thermal catalytic reassembled method. The novel method was proved to be a universal method for construction of core-shell structures. The establishment of g-C3N4@BiPO4 core-shell structure can provide blueprints for the construction of other organic-inorganic interface electric field catalytic system and can greatly improve the attractive prospect in practical applications owing to the perfect photocatalytic performance. (c) 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.