Fluorescent light enhanced graphitic carbon nitride/ceria with ultralow-content platinum catalyst for oxidative decomposition of formaldehyde at ambient temperature

The complete decomposition of formaldehyde (HCHO) at ambient temperature is the most potential strategy for HCHO elimination from indoor environment. Herein, extra low content of Pt nanoparticles (0.025 wt%) supported on water-solubility carbon nitride/ceria (Pt/g-C3N4@CeO2) was prepared for gaseous HCHO removal at ambient temperature in a simulated indoor environment. Fluorescent light (8 W) illumination could visibly boost the complete decomposition of HCHO into CO2 over Pt/g-C3N4@CeO2. The cooperative effect in the distinct heterostructure and plenty of surface reactive oxygen species contribute primarily to the enhanced catalytic performance of Pt/g-C3N4@CeO2. Moreover, the possible mechanism of HCHO oxidation over Pt/g-C3N4@CeO2 assisted by the fluorescent light irradiation was proposed based on the physicochemical and optical characterization as well as the result of in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectra. This work might shed some light on the potential application of the versatile catalysts for ambient-temperature catalytic decomposition of HCHO by making full use of the indoor energies.