Metal-free C60/CNTs/g-C3N4 ternary heterostructures: synthesis and enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic performance

A metal-free C-60/CNTs/g-C3N4 nanoheterostructure with excellent visible-light photocatalysis for rhodamine B (Rh B) degradation has been reported. Via a convenient low-temperature solution-phase method, g-C3N4 nanosheets can serve as substrate for dispersion of C-60/CNTs. The loading of C-60/CNTs onto g-C3N4 nanosheets surfaces significantly enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4 catalyst, for oxidation of organic pollutant (Rh B, 100%). Excellent photocatalytic properties of C-60/CNTs/g-C3N4 can be predominantly attributed to the intimate interfacial contact among constructing compounds, increased specific surface area and enhanced light adsorption efficiency resulted from C-60/CNTs carbon materials. Particularly, the synergistic heterostructure interaction remarkably hinders the electron-hole pairs recombination, giving rise to significantly enhanced photocatalytic performance of C-60/CNTs/g-C3N4 in comparison with other counterparts.