fabrication of a robust photocatalyst, various synthesis methods have been followed.
The most common methods are thermal polycondensation; physical vapor deposition (PVD); ionothermal, hard–soft templating; single-step nitridation; solvothermal/
hydrothermal calcination; electrochemical sol–gel; ultrasonic-assisted exfoliation;
etc. (Sudrajat 2018; Xiong et al. 2014; Rong et al. 2016; Chai et al. 2017). The
myriads of a large number of facetious and innovative preparation techniques have
subsequently progressed g-C 3 N 4 as a promising visible light-responsive
photocatalyst. Indeed, electronic and catalytic abilities of pristine g-C 3 N 4 are moderately low due to wide band gap, small specific surface area, high photoexciton
binding energy, low electrical conductivity, and decreased charge separation efficiency (Singh et al. 2013; Zhu et al. 2017). To surmount these limitations, enormous
means have spurred underlining the unleashing importance of g-C 3 N 4 as
photocatalyst. In reference to advancements and developments to overcome shortcomings of pristine g-C 3 N 4 , countless research have focused on heterostructuring
(coupling), nanoarchitecture design, and functionalization (doping) (Zhang et al.
2017a, b; Song et al. 2014; Raizada et al. 2019a, b, c). Among all the modification
methods, accelerating advantages offered by coupling heterostructuring are known
to be a competent method to tune the unique electronic and optical structure of
g-C 3 N 4 . Typically, as depicted in Fig. 2.2, there are three types of conventional
heterojunction photocatalysts: (type I) straddling gap, (type II) staggered gap, and
(type III) broken gap (Low et al. 2017a, b). Thereafter, two new types of
heterojunction came into light, i.e., Z-scheme direct and indirect heterojunction
and surface heterojunction, to further improve photocatalytic activity (Low et al.
2017a, b; Gholipour et al. 2015; Nashim et al. 2013).
The synthesis of heterostructured nanocomposites by coupling one semiconductor with other refrains from recombining photogenerated charge carriers and equips
the as-prepared photocatalyst with efficient novel characteristics exhibiting synergistic effects. Various reports reveal that combining g-C 3 N 4 with another
heterojunction photocatalysts fulfils several requirements, such as lowering of
bandgap and absorption in visible light region with high thermal and chemical
stability for long-term commercialized applications.
In this book chapter, we discuss design and synthesis of visible light-responsive
g-C 3 N 4 photocatalysts in heterojunction with metal oxides for its diverse potential in
pollutant elimination and bacteria disinfection. A brief outlook is presented for
synthesis of heterostructure of g-C 3 N 4 –metal oxide via various methods. The synergistic effect is pronounced due to the wide band gaps, high dielectric constants,
facetious separation, negligible agglomeration, and rapid electronic transitions.
Herein, we have mainly presented an insightful description on the attributes offered
by oxides of iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) in discipline of water purification.
2 Carbon Nitride/Metal Oxide Hybrids for Visible Light Harvesting and Water. . .
57
The most common methods are thermal polycondensation; physical vapor deposition (PVD); ionothermal, hard–soft templating; single-step nitridation; solvothermal/
hydrothermal calcination; electrochemical sol–gel; ultrasonic-assisted exfoliation;
etc. (Sudrajat 2018; Xiong et al. 2014; Rong et al. 2016; Chai et al. 2017). The
myriads of a large number of facetious and innovative preparation techniques have
subsequently progressed g-C 3 N 4 as a promising visible light-responsive
photocatalyst. Indeed, electronic and catalytic abilities of pristine g-C 3 N 4 are moderately low due to wide band gap, small specific surface area, high photoexciton
binding energy, low electrical conductivity, and decreased charge separation efficiency (Singh et al. 2013; Zhu et al. 2017). To surmount these limitations, enormous
means have spurred underlining the unleashing importance of g-C 3 N 4 as
photocatalyst. In reference to advancements and developments to overcome shortcomings of pristine g-C 3 N 4 , countless research have focused on heterostructuring
(coupling), nanoarchitecture design, and functionalization (doping) (Zhang et al.
2017a, b; Song et al. 2014; Raizada et al. 2019a, b, c). Among all the modification
methods, accelerating advantages offered by coupling heterostructuring are known
to be a competent method to tune the unique electronic and optical structure of
g-C 3 N 4 . Typically, as depicted in Fig. 2.2, there are three types of conventional
heterojunction photocatalysts: (type I) straddling gap, (type II) staggered gap, and
(type III) broken gap (Low et al. 2017a, b). Thereafter, two new types of
heterojunction came into light, i.e., Z-scheme direct and indirect heterojunction
and surface heterojunction, to further improve photocatalytic activity (Low et al.
2017a, b; Gholipour et al. 2015; Nashim et al. 2013).
The synthesis of heterostructured nanocomposites by coupling one semiconductor with other refrains from recombining photogenerated charge carriers and equips
the as-prepared photocatalyst with efficient novel characteristics exhibiting synergistic effects. Various reports reveal that combining g-C 3 N 4 with another
heterojunction photocatalysts fulfils several requirements, such as lowering of
bandgap and absorption in visible light region with high thermal and chemical
stability for long-term commercialized applications.
In this book chapter, we discuss design and synthesis of visible light-responsive
g-C 3 N 4 photocatalysts in heterojunction with metal oxides for its diverse potential in
pollutant elimination and bacteria disinfection. A brief outlook is presented for
synthesis of heterostructure of g-C 3 N 4 –metal oxide via various methods. The synergistic effect is pronounced due to the wide band gaps, high dielectric constants,
facetious separation, negligible agglomeration, and rapid electronic transitions.
Herein, we have mainly presented an insightful description on the attributes offered
by oxides of iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) in discipline of water purification.
2 Carbon Nitride/Metal Oxide Hybrids for Visible Light Harvesting and Water. . .
57