Constructing atomic layer g-C₃N₄–CdS nanoheterojunctions with efficiently enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity

Abstract

Ultrathin two dimensional (2D) materials have triggered extensive interest for their exceptional properties and potential applications. Herein, atomic layer graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was obtained by a simple ultrasonic exfoliation approach, and cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanoparticles were successfully grown on these ultrathin g-C3N4 nanosheets (UCNNS) via a facile solvothermal method. The as-prepared UCNNS-CdS nanocomposite exhibits significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity for methyl orange (MO) degradation under visible light irradiation. The enhancement of the photocatalytic activity should be attributed to the well-matched band structure and intimate contact interfaces between the UCNNS and CdS, which lead to the effective transfer and separation of the photogenerated charge carriers. The mechanism for the photodegradation of MO by the composite was also investigated in this study. This study highlights the potential applications of atomic layer g-C3N4 based photocatalysts, and we hope our work may provide a new insight for the construction of photocatalysts with efficient visible light activity.