One step to prepare Cl doped porous defect modified g-C3N4 with improved visible-light photocatalytic performance for H2 production and rhodamine B degradation

Cl doped porous defect modified graphitic carbon nitride (Cl-pdg-C3N4) have been synthesized by pyrolysis of the mixture of melamine and NH4Cl, and thoroughly analyzed by x-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, N-2 adsorption-desorption isotherm, BET, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra, photoluminescence spectra and photoelectrochemical properties. Experimental results indicated that Cl in NH4Cl could react with melamine to form supermolecule to induce the formation of porous structure. Meanwhile, NH4Cl could occupy space to limit the long-range polymerization of g-C3N4, resulting in the formation of N defect. Moreover, NH4Cl as the Cl element precursor could induce Cl element doped in the g-C3N4 system. When Cl-pdg-C3N4 worked as photocatalyst for producing H-2 and degrading rhodamine B under visible light, the as-prepared Cl-pdg-C3N4 presented more excellent photocatalytic activity and kept excellent recycled activity than bulk g-C3N4. Hence, this strategy provides insights into the fabrication of g-C3N4 with excellent photocatalytic activity, which was promisingly applied in various fields.