Facile fabrication of g‐C₃N₄/MIL‐53(Al) composite with enhanced photocatalytic activities under visible‐light irradiation

Abstract

A novel visible‐light‐driven g‐C 3 N 4 /MIL‐53(Al) composite photocatalyst was successfully prepared using a facile stirring method at room temperature. The g‐C 3 N 4 /MIL‐53(Al) composites were characterized and their effects on the photocatalytic activities for rhodamine B degradation were investigated. The g‐C 3 N 4 (20 wt%)/MIL‐53(Al) photocatalyst displayed optimal photocatalytic degradation efficiency, which was about five times higher than the photocatalytic activity of pure g‐C 3 N 4 . The improved photocatalytic performance of the g‐C 3 N 4 /MIL‐53(Al) photocatalyst was predominantly attributed to the efficient separation of electron–hole pairs and the low charge‐transfer resistance. g‐C 3 N 4 /MIL‐53(Al) also exhibited excellent stability and reusability. A proposed mechanism for the enhanced photocatalytic activity is also discussed based on the experimental results. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.