Synthesis of C/g-C3N4 composite with enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light

Abstract

In this study, banana-peel-derived carbon/g-C3N4 (BC/CN) composite was prepared by a facile calcinating method from the urea (NH2)2CO and banana-peel-derived carbon (BC) precursors. Whereas, the banana-peel-derived carbon was prepared from the waste banana peel as biomass source. The obtained composite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS), and N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms. The results showed that the BC/CN composite had the higher photocatalytic activities in the degradation Rhodamine B (85%) compared to the pristine g-C3N4 (31%) under visible light. This shows that the BC/CN composite as a promising new material with low cost for photodegradation of organic pollutants in wastewater