Enhanced photodegradation performance of Rhodamine B with g-C3N4 modified by carbon nanotubes

Abstract Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is a potential photocatalyst due to its narrow bandgap, great stability and low cost. In the present study, g-C3N4 modified with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was composited by a simple water bath method. The optimal content of CNTs was proved to be 1wt% in the composite, which showed an enhanced RhB photodegradation efficient. The degradation efficiency for Rhodamine B (RhB) by g-C3N4/CNTs-1 was 98.1% under visible light irradiation, which was 16.2% higher than that by pure g-C3N4. The photodegradation performance improved significantly due to the modification of CNTs, the present of CNTs in the composite was advantageous to the visible light absorption and photogenerated electron-hole separation. The prepared g-C3N4/CNTs composites with higher photocatalytic ability might provide a potential catalyst for wastewater purification.