Boosting visible-light photocatalytic activity of exfoliated g-C3N4 by a facile strategy coupling ion intercalation and thermal treatment

作者：Kingsley Igenepo John, Touma B. Issa, Aleksandar N. Nikoloski, G. Ho, Dan Li · 发表于：Emergent Materials · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1007/s42247-025-01178-6 · 被引用次数：6 · 研究领域：Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques、Perovskite Materials and Applications、2D Materials and Applications

Abstract Exfoliated La-doped g-C 3 N 4, namely La(x%)-eCN-N ( x = 0.1%– 10%), was prepared via in-situ La doping and thermal treatment. The photocatalytic activity of La(x%)-eCN-N was explored through the degradation of methyl orange (MO) under visible light and then optimized by varying the loading of La dopant. The optimised La(1%)-eCN-N displayed an enhanced photocatalytic performance over the bulk and exfoliated g-C 3 N 4 , and bulk La-doped g-C 3 N 4. Meanwhile, the use of La(1%)-eCN-N was seen with a high photocatalytic efficiency towards MO removal when compared with La(1%)-eCN-C, La(1%)-eCN-T, and La(1%)-eCN-U, which were prepared via conventional chemical, thermal and ultrasonic exfoliation of the pre-formed bulk La-doped g-C 3 N 4 . The observed outstanding photocatalytic activity of La(1%)-eCN-N was explained by several favourable features. In particular, the thin nanosheets would permit swift migration and effective separation of photogenerated charge carriers. The nitrogen adsorption–desorption analysis revealed an increased surface area and porosity, which might expose more active sites on the photocatalyst surface to adsorption and subsequent photocatalytic removal of MO molecules. Moreover, La(1%)-eCN-N was proven with improved visible light absorption, enhanced charge carrier separation and reduced transfer resistance. Its activity, along with the crystal and chemical characteristics, was largely retained after five cycles of photocatalytic reaction, affirmin...