Solid-state Synthesis of Composite Structures of Various Cu(I)-based Oxides with g-C3N4 for Harvesting Solar Energy

Abstract

Dilshad Masih, Bushra Luzon, Yuanyu Ma, and Sohrab Rohani

Development of novel materials for an efficient harvesting of solar energy towards applications in environment and energy sectors is an important area of research. A metal-free polymeric material, g-C3 N4 is modified with three Cu(I)- based oxides namely Cu2 O, CuVO3 , and Cu3 VO4 to extend the absorption of the solar spectrum. The composite structures are synthesized by a facile one-step solid-state reaction under inter atmosphere and atmospheric pressure. The amounts of loadings of Cu(I)-based oxides onto g-C3 N4 is varied from 2 wt.% to 10 wt.%. Powder XRD patterns showed that the graphitic structure of carbon nitride is maintained upon the construction of hybrid structures with Cu(I) oxides. SEM images show the textural transformation of the bulk structure of g-C3 N4 into nanosheets upon thermal retreatment. FT-IR spectra further confirmed the stability of g-C3 N4 observed in the XRD patterns. In comparison with the pristine g-C3 N4 , the DR-UV-Vis spectra of the modified solid powders demonstrated a clear red shift in the absorption towards higher wavelength and their better prospects in harvesting solar energy. Tauc plots derived from the DR-UV-Vis spectra showed a narrowing of the direct-allowed band gap upon modifications with Cu(I)-based oxides. The composites showed moderate activity in photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B under irradiation from a solar simulator.

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