Improved photocatalytic activity of WO3/C3N4: By constructing an anchoring morphology with a Z-scheme band structure

Abstract The photocatalytic activity of a photocatalyst was influenced by its morphology and band structure. In this work, a chemical bath deposition (CBD) method following an annealing process was used to fabricate WO 3 /C 3 N 4 composite for visible-light driven photocatalysis. The as-prepared samples showed an anchoring morphology. The photocatalytic activity was estimated by degradation of RhB and TCH, which are representative dye and antibiotic pollution in water system. The results indicated that WO 3 /C 3 N 4 heterostructure exhibited more efficient improvement of the photocatalytic performances than theses counterparts not only by containing an anchoring morphology which enhances sunlight harvesting and increases the specific surface but also establishing a Z-scheme band structure which promotes the separation of photogenerated holes and electrons.