One-pot thermal polycondensation to synthesize sulfur-doped g-C₃N₄ for efficient photocatalytic degradation

Developing high-performance photocatalysts is an economical and effective way for organic pollutant degradation. In this study, sulfur-doped graphitic carbon nitride (ST-CN) nanosheets with a highly exfoliated structure were synthesized via a simple one-pot thermal polycondensation procedure. After sulfur doping, ST-CN was provided with significantly enlarged specific surface area and improved charge separation efficiency. ST-CN displayed obviously enhanced degradation property for rhodamine B with an efficiency of 96.6% under visible light irradiation, much higher than pristine g-C 3 N 4 (53.9%). More importantly, the unabated degradation efficiency of ST-CN occurred for rhodamine B even in some complex water matrixes with various ions (Cl − , CO 3 2− , NO 3 − , and SO 4 2− ) and different pH values. During the photocatalytic degradation process, ST-CN produced abundant superoxide radicals (•O 2− ), which played a dominant role of the pollutant's elimination. In short, this work offers a simple and efficient strategy to modify carbon nitride for enhancing the photocatalytic performance. • Exfoliated structure and sulfur dopants were introduced into g-C 3 N 4. • ST-CN displayed 96.6% degradation efficiency for rhodamine B. • •O 2− species play a dominant role during the photocatalytic reactions.