Photocatalytic enhancement of hybrid C3N4/TiO2 prepared via ball milling method

Abstract

C₃N₄/TiO₂ hybrid photocatalysts with highly enhanced photocatalytic performance were prepared by a facile ball milling method. A layered structure of g-C₃N₄ was formed on the surface of TiO₂. The mechanochemical process can promote the dispersion of C₃N₄ on the surface of TiO₂ particles, to form a single layer hybrid structure and a multi-layer core–shell structure. The photocatalytic activities of C₃N₄/TiO₂ under visible and UV light irradiation were 3.0 and 1.3 times those of pure g-C₃N₄ and TiO₂, respectively. Under visible light and UV irradiation, the photocurrent response was up to 2.5 times and 1.5 times as high as that of the pure TiO₂ and C₃N₄, respectively. The evident performance enhancement of g-C₃N₄–TiO₂ was mainly attributed to high separation and migration efficiency of electron–hole pairs.