Preparation of nanosheet g-C3N4 coupled with Polycalix [4] resorcinarene: Survey characterization and photocatalytic activity for the degradation of 4-Nitrophenol

Abstract

Here, we have synthesized Polycalix[4]resorcinarene (PC4RA) covalently coupled with carbon-modified porous graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4). The nanocomposites were characterized by (FTIR), (XRD), (SEM), Transmission (TEM), and DRS–UV–Vis spectroscopic methods. Photocatalytic activities of the PC4RA/g-C3N4 nanocomposites with different ratios of g-C3N4 were evaluated for degradation of 4-Nitrophenol under visible light irradiation under light irradiation of λ ≥ 320 nm. Three parameters were applied including the initial concentration of 4-nitrophenol, the amount of photocatalyst, and irradiation time. and the results of the photocatalytic performance suggest that the catalytic activity is strongly influenced by the presence of the g-C3N4 content. Especially the nanocomposite’s photocatalytic efficiency was the highest (98.32 % after 120 min) when the ratio of g-C3N4 was (1/2). However, an increase of the photocatalytic activities was related to the interfacial transfer of photogenerated electrons and holes, leading to the effective charge separation. The durability and stability of the nanocomposites have been examined and can endure the experimental conditions even after eight successive cycles. This approach opens up an avenue for the fabrication of graphitic carbon nitrite-based metal-free heterogeneous nanocomposites with high catalytic performance.

Keywords

• g-C3N4/Polycalix[4]resorcinarene
• Degradation
• 4-Nitrophenol