Porous nanostructure and enhanced charge transfer in graphitic carbon nitride fabricated by polyoxometalate oxidation etching

Abstract Photocatalyst with more active sites and faster charge transfer are more favorable for organic pollutant degradation. Here with the polyoxometalate (POM) oxidation etching method, we simultaneously achieve a porous nanostructure and an enhanced charge transfer in graphitic carbon nitride. Novel Z-scheme Co-containing WO 3 /g-C 3 N 4 (label as CoW/CN) composites with porous nanostructure were for the first time fabricated by K 6 [CoW 12 O 40 ] oxidation etching. Photocatalytic tests reveal that CoW/CN composites exhibit a highly efficient and durable activity for photodegradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible-light irradiation (λ > 400 nm). The excellent photocatalytic performance originates from the porous nanostructure with high specific surface area, the Z-scheme heterostructure with efficient charge separation and the enhanced optical absorption ability by implanted metal oxide.