Synthesis of novel and stable g-C3N4/N-doped SrTiO3 hybrid nanocomposites with improved photocurrent and photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation

Hybrid nanocomposites based on N-doped SrTiO3 nanoparticles wrapped in g-C3N4 nanosheets were successfully prepared by a facile and reproducible polymeric citrate and thermal exfoliation method. The results clearly indicated that the N-doped SrTiO3 nanoparticles are successfully wrapped in layers of the g-C3N4 nanosheets. The g-C3N4/N-doped SrTiO3 nanocomposites showed absorption edges at longer wavelengths compared with the pure g-C3N4 as well as N-doped SrTiO3. The hybrid nanocomposites exhibit an improved photocurrent response and photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation. Interestingly, the hybrid nanocomposite possesses high photostability and reusability. Based on experimental results, the possible mechanism for prolonged lifetime of the photoinduced charge carrier was also discussed. The high performance of the g-C3N4/N-doped SrTiO3 photocatalysts is due to the synergic effect at the interface of g-C3N4 and N-doped SrTiO3 hetero/nanojunction including the high separation efficiency of the charge carrier, band energy matching and the suppressed recombination rate. Therefore, the hybrid photocatalyst could be of potential interest for water splitting and environmental remediation under natural sunlight.